Bookseller to host fund raiser for library system

NEWBURGH-Barnes & Noble Booksellers will hold a two-day Voucher Book fair from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25, to benefit the Ramapo Catskill Library System, a state-sponsored cooperative network serving 47 libraries and one reading center in Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and part of Ulster Counties. During the bookfair, when library supporters present vouchers at the cash registers of designated Barnes & Noble locations in Newburgh, Nanuet, and the Palisades Center, a percentage of the sale will be donated to the library system. Transactions not included are the purchase of gift cards, membership cards, and café consumables. Children's author Annabelle James will speak at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at the Newburgh Barnes & Noble at 1245 Route 300. On Sunday, the Black Dirt Storytelling Guild from the Florida Public Library will present Grab Bag Storytelling; Children's Storytime will be offered by the Wallkill Public Library at 1:00 p.m.; and Jonathan London's character, Froggy, will lead Costume Character Storytime at 3 p.m. The collaboration with the bookseller represents a growing trend for libraries to seek out partners to help fund programs. The event coincides with National Library Card Sign-Up Month. The Palisades and Nanuet stores will have their own programs for the book fair. Vouchers may be picked up at local libraries, or printed out from the website www.rcls.org. For more information, call 343-1131.