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Lombard book sale reflects slumping economy

The changing climate of the book-selling industry also is changing the customer base at the annual used book sale hosted by the Lombard area branch of the American Association of University Women, members said Friday.

The sale, which raises money for local and national scholarships, expects to generate about 20 percent less revenue than last year because fewer used book dealers and book shop owners are making purchases, AAUW member Mary Ann Grady said.

“With the economy and gas, we used to have dealers come from Wisconsin, from Kansas to buy books, but they don’t do that anymore because it’s not worth their while,” she said.

Some dealers who did attend this year’s sale bought less than in the past, citing sluggish online book sales, Grady said.

Last year’s book sale brought in $10,300, but the club expects a total in the $8,000 range this year, member Kathy Brenniman said.

Local gardening enthusiasts teachers and families were among shoppers seeking cheap reads Friday morning.

“I’m a teacher, so I’m looking for books for my middle school classroom,” said Meagan Bubulka of Willowbrook.

Even with less book sale revenue expected, the AAUW plans to give scholarships next year worth between $500 and $900 to two graduating high school students — one from Glenbard East and one from Willowbrook, Grady said.

The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St. Shoppers can fill a bag with books for $10.