Volunteer ready to talk reading in Glen Ellyn

Sarah Peck's family has quite a tradition. When she was a child, her parents emphasized how important it was to read. When she had her own children, she passed that on.

Her love of reading shapes her to this day. The stack of books next to her bed is an homage to Peck's life, she said. Currently, the stack includes travel books on the beauty of the German and Austrian countrysides. Peck will cycle through those two countries next week.

"It's how we were raised. Books were an important part of our life," Peck said. "I tell my kids all the time, 'If you have a book, you always have a friend.'"

Peck will have a chance to help others find those friends during the Glen Ellyn/Wheaton American Association of University Women's 49th annual Used Book Sale, which runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday, May 13 and 14, and finishes with a books-by-the-bag sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St.

Peck estimates that the event will include about 30,000 books, most of which were donated during the past 12 months by area residents. Proceeds from the event will go toward two $750 scholarships for the local chapter, as well as contributions toward scholarships for the national organization.

The scholarships focus on students who receive good grades but are unable to join extracurricular activities because of financial burdens.

"Usually the kids that get the accolades are the football players, student council members," Peck said. "But there are smart kids who maybe cannot be active in extracurriculars."

Peck said she reconnected with the AAUW when her children moved out of the house.

"It's an organization that advances equity in women and girls through education," she said.

The book sale usually raises between $12,000 and $14,000, she said.

And, along the way, Peck said she usually has good conversations about one of her favorite pastimes.

"With our children, we had a rule of no TV during the week. Because of that, my kids are voracious readers," she said. "Reading is so important."

If you go

What: Glen Ellyn/Wheaton AAUW Used Book Sale

When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday, May 13 and 14; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15

Where: Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St.

Info: wheaton-glenellynaauw.org