The Giant Book Sale has found a giant location.
After much anxiety, and an exhaustive search, Friends of the Guelph Public Library has been offered a sprawling 30,000 square foot warehouse space at 69 Huron Street (extending to 64 Duke Street on the other side) for its annual book sale, one of the largest sales of its kind in Ontario.
The event attracts thousands of book lovers, collectors and book dealers each year, some coming from other provinces and even a few other countries. This is the 10th anniversary of the event, which happens this year in late October.
Chair of the Friends of the Guelph Public Library, Virginia Gillham, said Wednesday morning the organization is grateful for the donation of space. The organization has offered to pay utilities for the three months if it is occupying the space. Coldpoint Holdings Ltd., John Wood and Susan Frasson are the owners of the former W.C. Wood warehouse.
Gillham said the organization will take temporary occupancy of the space at the beginning of August. At that time it will begin to accept book donations.
The event has grown each year, generating about $100,000 in annual revenues on the sale of about 110,000 books and related items. It attracted over 8,000 visitors in 2015.
Last year, the sale cleared just over $110,500 after roughly $9,000 in expenses. In its first year in 2007, it cleared just under $8,300.
Finding space was difficult this year, and Gillham said searching into the month of June was cutting it very short.
“With over 30,000 square feet of space, we are just over the moon,” Gillham said. “Last year, the actual display space we had was 25,000 square feet.”
She said the warehouse will need some reconfiguring to accommodate the various areas and sections needed for the sale. She called the sale’s organization committee members enthusiastic and flexible, and they will work hard to make the space work. The location is adjacent to Sacred Heart Catholic School.
The location is in the heart of the Ward neighbourhood, but Gillham said parking shouldn’t be a problem. There are many parking spaces on the building’s property, and she is inquiring into the availability of other nearby parking areas.
“We are going to put a big push on the parking to make sure there is enough, and so we don’t disturb the neighbours more than is necessary,” she added.
Donations are received throughout the month of August, and sorting and organizing the books begins immediately after the Labour Day weekend.
In total, the sale has generated $430,000 towards the construction of a new downtown library. Funds have also supported art purchases, matching grants, and the purchase of specialized audio visual equipment for Guelph Public Library.
“We are very relieved,” Gillham added. “To start looking for a place in January and have it come down to the wire in June, is a bit much.”
