Book Sale

Ohio’s Largest Second-Hand Book Sale Starts Today

November 10, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

The Dayton Book Fair has been in existence since 1970. They sell donated books to benefit three different local non-profits each year, and provide a meaningful place for people to donate their beloved books. For 2023, proceeds from the sale will benefit the Breast Wishes Foundation, CityHeart and the Human Race Theatre Company.

The sale opened today at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds at 9am and will be open til 7pm. Admission today is $10. Hours for Saturday and Sunday are 9am – 5pm and admission is free for those days. Sunday is Bag Day: all you can fit in our paper grocery bag for $10. You can pay by cash, check, credit card or Apple Pay.

You’ll find books divided into over 80 category’s as well as records, CDs, movies, puzzles and games. There are literally tons of children’s books ranging from board books to chapter books, and including picture books, beginning readers, elementary non-fiction and novels. We also have books for teens in a separate section near pop culture and graphic novels.

Theuy also sell books online through eBay at bookfairexpress and for more specialized listings, also at daytonbookfair.

In December of 22 they also opened Rabbit Hole Books at 29 West First St. in downtown Dayton. The shop is open daily from noon – 7pm and every book there sells for one dollar. It’s also got a great array of gift items for sale.

Have a nonprofit you’d like to be a future beneficiary?

There are three requirements:

Your group must be a registered organization in the State of Ohio.
Your location must be within 25 miles of the city of Dayton
You must be a 501c3.

Letters of application should be sent to the Book Fair Foundation, 2181 Embury Park Rd, Dayton, OH 45414. Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, January 4, 2023 or received at our office by Tuesday, January 10 by close of business (4 pm).

Have books to donate?

They accept donations at 2181 Embury Park Rd. Dayton offices all year round. Regular hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There are staff members on hand to help you get your books unloaded, or you can use our contactless drop-off point at the front vestibule. More info here.

Dayton Book Fair Chooses Beneficiaries for 2020

February 6, 2020 By Dayton Most Metro

The Dayton Book Fair announced that they have chosen this year’s three beneficiaries to receive proceeds from their 50th anniversary Book Sale in November 2020. Each beneficiary will receive a grant of around ten thousand dollars.

This year the three beneficiaries are:

The Dayton International Peace Museum is the only brick and mortar Peace Museum in North or South America and the houses the only interactive exhibit on the Dayton Peace Accords in the world. They are the official repository for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and run a very successful Peace Camp for children ages 5-12. They maintain changing exhibits on the many challenges to peace and peacemaking including the effects of violence and war, gun culture, poverty, bullying, the environment, and international cooperation.

The Xenia Area Community Theater is an all-volunteer theater and gallery space established in 2005 to serve area interests in performing and fine arts and stimulate community involvement in those areas. They produce eight fully staged plays during their regular season (to date more than 100 productions) along with several summer shows and youth camps. Their plans for the grant from the Book Fair Foundation include a week-long Special Needs Children’s Initiative workshop and performance for children on the Autism Spectrum, and to improve theatre accessibility to a variety of groups whose ability to attend live theater is hampered by ticket cost.

WYSO, the public radio station long-associated with Antioch College has recently separated their university relationship to become an independent entity. While much of their budget pays for nationally syndicated public radio programming, the grant from the Dayton Book Fair will enable them to fund grassroots programming in the Center for Community Voices, for the documentary and story-telling segments produced by Dayton Youth Radio, Women’s Voices (produced by female inmates at a Dayton correctional facility) and County Lines, focusing on the rural populations in our community.

“It is challenging to choose just three,” said Dayton Book Fair Executive Director Larkin Vonalt. “It is a multi-day project for the Foundation’s board to winnow down from dozens of excellent organizations all doing important work to just three.”

Asked about criteria that the board might consider in choosing the finalists, Ms. Vonalt noted that they examine the size of the organization, the need for funding, and how the board feels that the year-long partnership will work.

“There are so many intangibles,” she added, “and at the very end when we’ve narrowed it to just a few, it often comes down to what kind of fit it will be for all of us.”

The Dayton Book Fair board handles grant-making a little differently than other foundations, requiring a year-long informal partnership with the beneficiaries. Organizations chosen are asked to promote the sale through a variety of means, they are encouraged to hold a book drive and required to volunteer at least 40 hours over the year.

Since 2015 the Foundation has made grants to 16 different organizations in the Dayton Community, giving away more than $130,000 over the last five years. The Dayton Book Fair is Ohio’s largest used book sale and each year rehomes about 40 tons of books, records, puzzles, and games.

“While the grant-making is an essential part of our existence, and we are delighted to be able to support so many exceptional Dayton-area non-profits, we have discovered that we have another remarkably important mission in providing a meaningful and purposeful venue where people can donate their beloved books,” Ms. Vonalt commented, noting that they collect books all year round at their office at 2181 Embury Park Rd as well as offering a free pick up service for those who need it and collaborating twice a year with all the Dayton area Grismer Tire Stores for book “round-ups” the last week of May and August.

Those donated books are then sorted, priced and packed for the sale held each year the second weekend in November at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and the proceeds from that sale used in making grants to community non-profit organizations working in the areas of arts, education, social welfare, literacy and community development.

Book Fair Foundation Sales Starts Today!

November 9, 2018 By Lisa Grigsby

The Book Fair Foundation is comprised of a group of civic-minded people who work together collecting books to support community charities, carrying on the good works the group began in 1970. They work all year collecting books, magazines and vinyl and findings and resell those during their annual Book Fair which starts today Friday, November 9th at the new Montgomery County Fairgrounds located at 5661 Dayton-Liberty Rd.

While most books are on the table for sale, there is also a curated auction featuring some very interesting and unusual books, and the opportunity to obtain some extraordinarily rare titles at a reasonable price. (Including a first edition of Beatrix Potter’s A Tale of Tom Kitten, a copy of the Geography of Dayton inscribed from Colonel Deeds to Arthur Morgan, a first edition of Isaac Asimov’s The Naked Sun. Quite a few pieces of local interest, including the first publication of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Joggin’ Erlong” in the old Cosmopolitan Magazine (which also includes the first printing of a Jack London short-story) Happy Reading!

Auction Catalog 2018 text

Auction items will be available for examination as soon as the sale opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 9th. For most books, the auction will end at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 10th. In the instance where there is active bidding on a book at 6 p.m., bids will be taken until 5 minutes elapses with no new bids

Friday, November 9
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
$10 admission, all day

Saturday, November 10
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free admission

Sunday, November 11
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bag Sale Day – Free admission – $7.50 per bag (sales tax included)

Monday, November 12
8 a.m. to 12 noon
Clean Sweep Day – Pay $1 admission, and take all the books you want

Plenty of free parking is available.

We are excited about the move to the new Fairgrounds where the building is bigger (and warmer) and brand spanking new. There is plenty of paved parking on flat ground!

The beneficiaries of the 2018 Dayton Book Fair are Rebuilding Together Dayton, The Victory Project and We Care Arts.

Rebuilding Together Dayton works to build community partnerships that provide home rehabilitation for low-income Dayton Area homeowners, particularly the elderly, so they may live in warmth, safety and independence. All of their work falls into one of four focus areas: safe and healthy housing, youth and corporate engagement, community revitalization and veteran housing. The average age of their clients is 77, and the average annual income $16,000. Read more about their vision and accomplishments at their website http://www.rtdayton.org

The Victory Project is a privately funded nonprofit after-school program which mentors disengaged young men in our city. They forged an alliance between business, criminal justice and faith communities to allow local teens to break the cycle of hopelessness, insignificance and isolation by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Offering a real alternative to the streets, they are open year round, six days a week, building long-lasting relationships with young men at risk, sharing dinner together every weeknight, providing individualized tutoring and entrepreneurship models through landscaping and home improvement micro-businesses. Check out their website at http://www.victoryproject.org/

An uncommon alliance has formed between the business, criminal justice and faith communities to allow our young men to break the cycle of hopelessness, insignificance and isolation by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

We Care Arts works with developmentally disabled adults and youth, senior citizens with dementia, and the mentally ill to achieve greater personal independence. Through a variety of art experiences, they promote the artist’s individuality, self esteem, community skills, ability to focus, life skills, responsibility, confidence and job skills. A team of paid staff and volunteers creates an environment that fosters individual talents and provides training for each artist. In addition, We Care Arts has developed installations for use in public schools and the “Art on a Cart” program for patients receiving chemotherapy. Click their website link to learn more! http://www.wecarearts.org/

We are delighted to be part of the future of these three wonderful organizations and look forward to getting to know them better through partnership and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

The Book Fair foundation is taking applications for 2019 beneficiaries, more info here.

Jane’s Best Bets (10/13 – 10/17)

October 13, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Did you know that in addition to being the month for pumpkins, costumes, and corn mazes, October is also a good time to remind us to wear ear plugs when we’re out enjoying those loud festivals and concerts, or perhaps when we’re using one of those annoying leaf blowers, as it is National Audiology Awareness Month! I hope you don’t mind me putting in a plug for this cause! Speaking of plugs, I’ve been plugging away trying to find some good things for you to do. I’ve realized there are many ways to support wonderful causes this week AND have fun at the same time!

On Wednesday, learn how to help raise funds for your non-profit board at the presentation Building Your Best Board at the Main Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. If you would like to know how this year’s political candidates plan to make Dayton an even better place, consider attending the Updayton Candidates Forum downtown. And if you’d prefer to just relax, put on some pink lipstick and make your way over to A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg for their ‘*Pink Sips for the Cure’*, which will include wine tastings, light appetizers, and music.

Moving on to Thursday…If you are a M*A*S*H fan, you’ll definitely want to head over to the Schuster Center for A Cigar, a Dress and a Hairy Chest, where the Junior League of Dayton’s Town Hall Lecture Series will be welcoming Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Max Klinger on the show. If you want to make a difference in our community, skate your way to the 10th Annual Ribbon of Hope Luncheon to benefit the Women’s Wellness Fund, where Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming will be the keynote speaker! And in the evening, be sure to empty your bowl at the Empty Bowls Fundraiser for House of Bread in order to raise funds for this community kitchen that serves food seven days a week to the needy. Finally, if you’re a young professional looking to network with other young professionals in the area, be sure to attend Generation Dayton’s ‘Thirsty Thursday’ at SideBar. At this point in time, I’m not sure at which side of the bar we’ll be located, but if you attend, be sure to say hi!

On Friday, support the fight to end domestic violence in the Miami Valley by attending the Artemis Center’s Annual Peacekeeper Awards Luncheon at the Mandalay Banquet Center. If you work or volunteer for a non-profit, be sure to attend the American Humanics Fall Workshop entitled, The Nonprofit Toolbox, which will take place at the Boonshoft Museum. This workshop will help you take advantage of the many modern resources available (e.g. social media) to promote your nonprofit. Plus, Lisa Grigsby from DaytonMostMetro.com will be one of the speakers! If you love to read, make your way to Hara Arena for the Dayton Metro Library Book Sale, which will also be happening on Saturday and Sunday. In the evening, if you are into haunted houses and other fall-related activities, check out Salem’s Lot Haunted Carnival at the Old Salem Mall, Haunted Wagon Rides at Young’s Jersey Dairy, or the The 2010 MAiZE @ Meadow View. And if you enjoy musicals and are looking for an island get away without the cost, check out Once On This Island at Sinclair.

Hopefully you went to bed at a decent hour on Friday night so you’ll be able to start off Saturday with the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Fifth Third Field or the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association’s 5th Annual Happy Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk at Indian Riffle Park in Kettering. I wonder if there will be any weiner dogs there. Afterwards, bring out the entire family for the Fall Family Fun Day at the PNC 2^nd Street Market, where there will be pumpkin decorating, musical entertainment, and more. If you enjoy seafood and wine, head to the Bella Vino Wine Merchants for their Clam Bake. Or if you are a Star Trek buff, you’ll want to trek your way to the Victoria Theatre to see Star Trek Live!

Also on Saturday…If you’re a hockey lover, your goal is to be in attendance at the Dayton Gems’ opening night where they will take on the Evansville Icemen at Hara Arena. If you’re a young professional who enjoys the arts, then Jump into Dance with JumpstART & DCDC at Stivers School for the Arts. Although I have never seen the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), I have heard wonderful things about them so I am sure they will put on an amazing performance! And, if you love to party, people watch, dance, and in general just have a fabulous time, then you don’t want to miss Masquerage at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds! In addition to being a very entertaining evening of “heavenly pleasures and sinful delights,” you will be helping to raise money for people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Partying for a great cause…I love it!

On Sunday, take part in the National Kidney Foundation Walk at The Greene. Or, take the kids out to Windmill Farms Fall Festival for hayrides, pumpkins, face painting, and much more! If you didn’t get the chance to see Star Trek Live on Saturday, you still have another opportunity to check it out. If you are a book worm who loves a good bargain, wiggle your way over to the Dayton Metro Library Book Sale where books will be reduced to all you can carry for a dollar! And in the evening, if you are in need of a good laugh or if you want to try your hand (or really your feet) at stand-up, invite a friend and go to Wiley’s Comedy Club for their Open-Mic Night!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why shouldn’t you tell secrets in a cornfield?
Because corn has ears.
(Courtesy of my Grandma Krebs!)

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar. There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today! Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE! And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!