Nearly a hundred fans gathered on December 14 and 14, 2024, in the village hall, during the book sale organized by the municipal library of Brienon-sur-Armançon.
But behind an altogether classic operation, there is unsuspected work that was carried out by the managers and volunteers of the Brienon establishment. Explanations with Isabelle Pourty, the librarian.
What does this so-called weeding operation consist of?
First of all, all libraries do this. A book begins its life with purchase and ends with what we call weeding, its removal from collections. We’re talking about a book tour. This is a necessary operation to ensure rotation and for us, with the upcoming extension of the library with the work of the cultural center, we needed space, but also to review and update the collections. We also benefit from a municipal subsidy for this.
How is the choice of books made?
It is based on several criteria: the obsolete nature of the theme of the book, the general condition of the work but also taking into account its use, seeing if it is published little or not at all. Five thousand pounds were on offer this time and nearly eight hundred were gone in three days. You should know that we have been working on the clearance sale for two years. It is a very long-term preparation, hence its periodicity.
Have you identified authors or themes specifically sought by readers?
I note an attraction for local novels, authors like Didier Cornouaille for example, but also Stephen King and also what revolves around Harry Potter. On Friday, the sale was coupled with the Christmas market next door. Six hundred books were sold that day alone.
What ultimately happens to unsold books?
We already have a municipal decree prohibiting the destruction of books. We therefore give them to charitable or reintegration associations which can resell them, or like the Pénélope association in Sens. But afterwards, I don’t know what exactly they do with it, it’s no longer our responsibility.
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