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TL 10.1q The Teaching Librarian Volume 10, no. 1 21 OOrrggaanniizziinngg SScchhooooll BBooookk FFaaiirrss School Book Fairs are organized to generateexcitement about reading and provide additionalfunding for school libraries through a commis- sion sales structure. Typically the teacher-librarian will contact one of the companies that routinely pro- vides this kind of service and make arrangements for the book fair to be held in the school at a specific time period for a set number of days. The companies that provide this service usually offer a variety of options in terms of structure and profit margin. There are a number of issues to consider before set- ting up a book fair at the school: • What is the primary purpose of the book fair? Is it to put books into the hands of children, or is it to provide additional funding or a combination of both? • When is the best time of year to do this? Parent interviews? Education Week? Special school celebrations? • Who will be involved in the planning and promot- ing of the book fair? • Who will be available to help during the book fair - setting up, handling cash, helping students and parents make selections, supervising? • Where will it be held in the school? There may be restrictions due to location of the library within the school, e.g. second floor location with no ele- vator, or the impact of the book fair on access to the school library. It is also important to clarify with the book fair vendor: • What kinds of titles are provided? Can specific requests be made? Can the teacher-librarians look at the books or lists of books first? How will backorders be handled? • Are promotional materials provided? Costumed characters? Videos? Book talks? Planning support? • Are bookcases provided that can be closed at night or is everything laid on out tables? This may also depend on the location of the book fair in the school. • What kinds of book fairs are available? Is there an option for a 2-for-1 book fair later in the year? • What is the commission rate? Is there an option for taking a combination of cash and books from the profit? • What other materials are available for sale? Pencils? Bookmarks? Posters? Some of the key vendors that provide book fairs are listed below. In some cases, schools make arrange- ments with a local bookstore as well to provide special buying events. Minnow Books http://www.minnowbooks.com/ Contact: Greg Blount Phone: 1.800.263.5210 Panorama Contact: Margaret Hirter Phone: 905-938-2665 ext. 844 or 1.800.845.9771 Scholastic Books http://bookfairs.scholastic.ca/index.htm Central Ontario (Markham) Phone: 1.800.387.-5750 or 905.887.3600 Fax: 1.800.336.7494 or 905.887.3589 z Reprinted with permission from School Library Information Centre Handbook, TDSB MANAGEMENT @ y ou r lib ra ry ™ The complete SLIC Handbook can be ordered by e-mail from curriculum@tdsb.on.ca.