Raising money for Alzheimer's Scotland and Breast Cancer Care

English Department Book Sale - Joyce

The installation of computers into one of our classrooms meant that we had to lose a few cupboards, and, consequently, a few books.  Heart-broken (it goes without saying) we decided to hold a book sale during Freshers' week.  I was not looking forward to it.  I was wrong not to look forward to it.  Completely wrong.

On the day, we had six boxes of books taken down to the foyer outside the canteen.   I stood there with my voice amplifier (redundant from classroom use last year when I had voice problems) and announced my presence.  “Book corner over here.  Great bargains. All profits to charity.  Come and have a look.” 

I sold two thirds of the books straight off (we were there for just over an hour) and was pleasantly surprised at the many conversations I had with both staff and students. I found a teacher in Legal Studies, for example, who ran a drama club. She went off with a set of short Scottish drama texts.  And I found students (many students) excited by the prospect of a particular author or a text they hadn’t read. A good few even wanted to try reading Shakespeare.  (Amazing)

All round, it was very gratifying, to be reminded that there are bright young people interested in books – and we made £70 for Alzheimer’s Scotland to top it off.  The remaining two boxes were collected by another member of staff for a car boot sale (yet to come) with proceeds from that going to Breast Cancer Care.