Book Fairs

“A Book Fair is, above all else, a celebration of reading, a big group literacy hug for your school community, and should be an easy, stress-free way to raise significant income – what, I ask you, could possibly be a better thing to do for your school than sponsor a high quality Book Fair?”

-Sue Campbell, Book Passage Book Fair Coordinator

• Book Passage is Marin’s local, independent bookstore. We continue to operate, especially in these tough economic times, because we strive to give the community what it wants, and, in turn, we have earned community support. Supporting local business is the “green,” sustainable thing to do.
  
  
• Our unique “hybrid” Book Fair model is designed to maximize sales. We suggest a four-day format (although we will taper to suit your individual needs): two days at your school followed by two more days at our store. Here’s how it works:
  
  
  • On Thursday and Friday, we come to your school with multiple copies of an array of wonderful books, chosen by our children’s book experts. We provide a bookseller to handle all sales transactions, and we restock right away so there is no waiting period for purchase.
    
    
  • On Saturday and Sunday, our store doors are open to your school. Purchases made by members of your school community—books, maps and gift items—will add to your total sales. Because you have chosen your local store, you get the benefit of both types of sales during your book fair.
   
• After your book fair, your school will receive a check for 15% of your book fair sales. We include purchases at your school, book and gift purchases at our Corte Madera or San Francisco Ferry Building stores, as well as your online purchases at BookPassage.com during the book fair. Plus, if your school reaches $20,000 in sales, then the percentage your school will receive increases to 20% of total sales!
   
• Here’s the best part: Not only does Book Passage bring a variety of high quality books into your school, but our lively, in-school presentations, led by Book Fair Coordinator Sue Campbell, will bring the books alive for the students. Sue has more than 25 years of experience at connecting children with books, and she knows how to ignite real excitement about books and encourage a love of reading.
   
• Every title brought to your school will be listed on our website and can be ordered online. This simplifies buying for many families and adds to your book fair sales.
   
• Sue Campbell will work closely with your librarian and/or Book Fair Committee to help you customize your Book Fair to reflect the special interests and culture of your school. We do not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
   
• We can arrange events with children’s book authors or illustrators to be held at the store during your fair. It’s a thrill for a child to be able to talk to a popular author and get her autograph on a new book.
   
• How can you increase profits even more? You can host a special luncheon, coffee hour, or wine and cheese party in the store—our café will be happy to help. We’ll include a book talk so you can hear about the books your children are so excited about. We’ll also tell you about the season’s best new adult titles. You can even bring in a storyteller or a magician! It’s all been done, and we will help you pull it all together.
   
• We make advertising easy. We’ll post a special page for your school’s book fair at www.bookpassage.com, giving the schedule for the fair and reviews and pictures of featured books, as well as an easy way to purchase. We will provide information that your school can use on your website, email to families, or reformat to use in printed hand-outs or mailings.
   
• Please remember that a Book Fair can be held any time during the school year, but in order to assure your chosen date, you should contact us to begin planning six months in advance, by calling Sue Campbell at (415) 927-0960 ext. 401 or (415) 383-1351. You may also email bookfairs@bookpassage.com. Sue will be more than happy to come to your school and discuss Book Fairs with your staff and Book Fair Committee.