Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

BOOKS ON BOOKS ON BOOKS

Barb’s Used Book Sale keeps Kamloops Symphony Orchestra funded for over 22 years

Nov 25, 2019 | 4:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — Like the time change, it happens every spring and every fall in Kamloops. It’s Barb’s Used Book Sale, and it’s the most crucial fundraiser the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra hosts. While the location changes every few years, the selection of books always remains stellar.

From vinyl records to many leather-bound books, they’ve got it all at Barb’s Used Book Sale. For 22 years, this event has been the primary source of fundraising for the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra.

“Last year we raised over $75,000 from the initiative, so we’re hoping to beat that again this year,” Daniel Mills, KSO Executive Director, told CFJC Today.

Mills has been on the job as the Executive Director of the KSO for less than a year and says he’s amazed at the sheer volume of stock that gets moved during the biannual sale.

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“We should probably keep a better record,” he says when asked about the number of books sold per year. “It’s incredible how many books go through this establishment.”

Jean Crowe has been volunteering at the sale for 21 of the 22 years it’s been taking place.

“Barb Corbishley, who the sale is named after, she was part of our book group and a good friend,” Crowe says. “Somehow we got involved right at the beginning.”

Despite the sale’s longevity, it’s still a hidden treasure for some in our community.

“This is my first time [at the sale],” Olivia Verity says. “I like it. It’s a pretty good selection. I didn’t notice this until I walked by, so I thought I’d pop in for a quick look.”

The sale isn’t accepting any more donations for this year. Even so, there’s still a massive selection of books by well-known authors.

“I was just browsing the James Patterson selection, trying to complete a couple of series,” Verity explains.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

Year after year, Jean Crowe volunteers. Year after year, she’s impressed by how many people donate and how many people come to peruse the vast selection of literature and music.

“People do keep asking ‘When’s the next sale?’ and they’ve got their books waiting to bring in and waiting to buy more of them,” Crowe says. “The symphony does very well out of it. It seems every year we break another record.”

If you want to check out the sale, you can head down to 444 Seymour Street, but you’d better do it soon. Barb’s Used Book Sale runs until Saturday, November 30.