Focus on Education and Literacy: Legacy of a Famous Book Sale in Nanaimo
September is Rotary International’s Basic Education and Literacy Month. This month highlights the importance of literacy and its goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. Education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development and promoting peace.
The Rotary Club of Nanaimo maintains basic education and literacy as one of its main areas of focus and in support of that and other important community initiatives in the region, the club has held its now famous fundraiser, the Rotary Book Sale, since 2007.
Honouring this year’s literacy month, we highlight how this amazing book sale evolved and the much-needed support it has provided to so many groups in the Nanaimo region.
The Rotary Club of Nanaimo Book Sale: The Beginning
In 2005, a group from Sunyani in Ghana Africa was partnering with the Regional District of Nanaimo to discuss waste management. They inspired club member Ross White, Rotary International Resource Coordinator for Literacy in Zone 22, to ask if there was some way that Rotary could be involved with the Sunyani Community. They came prepared with a list that included library books for their school. Ross, retired Superintendent of the Nanaimo School District, decided he would find a way to make the library project happen.[1]
A year later from October 14 to 15, 2006, club member Ian Williams spent two days interviewing members of the Chilliwack Rotary Club and videotaping their book collection, sorting and the used book sale. On November 14, 2006 these data were presented to the board. We were confident that we had made the case for a new fundraising opportunity.[2]
After several discussions, the club’s board members expressed concerns that the club did not have the capacity to take on such a large endeavour, however they were open to a presentation. During this time, Ian asked for a show of hands of who would be willing to work at a book sale.
One hundred percent of those present said they would help out.
Rotarian Jim Brown stepped up and agreed to co-chair the book sale committee and by January 2007 both Jim and Lila Tanner were recognized as the official co-chairs of the book sale. The book sale was officially underway. [3]
Book Sale, Raise a Reader and Literacy Central Vancouver Island Connection
Wayne Kuss, an employee of Canwest, the company that published Nanaimo's Daily Free Press, contacted our club to collaborate with their Raise-a-Reader program and the book sale.
Wayne explained, “CanWest Global Foundation launched Raise-a-Reader nationally in the fall of 2002 to increase awareness and raise money for children’s literacy programs. It included events that raised awareness of literacy issues, all leading up to national Raise-a-Reader day.”
Wayne said that he could provide free book sale advertising, boxes and transportation to move books. Also, if the club donated money to the Raise-a-Reader program, the B.C. government would match the funds, increasing the club’s contribution to Literacy Central Vancouver Island, a non-profit group dedicated to the development of literacy skills for thousands of people in Nanaimo and the Region.
Ian Williams said, “The partnership proved to be valuable. Wayne Kuss was instrumental in securing Nanaimo North Town Centre for our book sale venue. The first book sale was held on Thanksgiving weekend in 2007.”
Since then, the Book Sale evolved from a four-day event in the fall to two ten-day events, one in the fall and one in the spring. Approximately 158 different organizations have benefited from the book sale, many receiving multiple donations over the years.
When asked what his favorite part of the Book Sale is, Ian replied, “the satisfaction of seeing Rotarians, each with their own skills, working as a team, functioning like a well-oiled machine seeped in camaraderie, to produce a first class book sale, resulting in significant positive impacts on our community.”
Well said Ian!
Book Sale Impact
Since its inception, the Book Sale has raised over $2 million for charities in our community and around the world including the library project in Sunyani! The funds raised support a wide range of causes that align with the Rotary Club of Nanaimo and Rotary International’s key areas of focus – from education and literacy to health, seniors and children.
Rotary and Literacy
Rotary clubs all over the world are taking action to enhance basic education and literacy in their communities. Our book sale plays a role in supporting the many literacy needs in the Central Vancouver Island Region and internationally.
Want to learn more about Rotary, literacy and other key areas of focus? Visit www.rotary.org/en/our-causes.