Where do the books and other items come from?
From you! Year round the Monroe County Chapter accepts donations of books, videos, DVDs, CDs, records, cassette tapes, maps, sheet music, puzzles, and games. Anyone can stop by the chapter anytime during business hours to drop off bags, boxes, or crates of donation items. Donors can also receive a donation letter for tax purposes. It all starts with donations from you!

How does the Red Cross manage to organize such a large event with so many books every year?
Volunteers! From January through October, volunteers work weekly at the Red Cross sorting books into appropriate genres, including westerns, romance, general fiction, kids books, biographies, cooking, gardening, etc. Once a box is filled, it is packed, labeled, and stored.

How do the volunteers know so much about books?
Experience! Many of the volunteers have been volunteering with the organization for years and know how certain books should be categorized. Some volunteers specialize in one or two areas. For example, Joann Dodd and Anne Honeycutt handle fiction, Barbara Burkhead handles the Kids’ Corner, Pat Kingsbury handles “Better Books,” and Susie Hamilton handles cookbooks.

How do the books get to the fairground and get organized inside the Commercial Building?
Volunteers! Not only do the Book Fair committee volunteers play a large part in the setup for the event, they call on lots of others individuals and groups to help before, during, and after the sale. Red Cross board members and IU student organizations, such as the IU Red Cross Club, Civic Leadership Development, SPEA, American Humanics, and IU fraternities help with setup or as cashiers. In addition, Stonebelt Freight is vital to storage and transportation and the Monroe County road crew plays a critical role in setup and tear down. Some community groups and individuals also volunteer each year, helping to complete various tasks.

Are other Bloomington organizations involved?
Yes! The Herald-Times and local radio stations help by publicizing the event; Borders and WIFU host book drop-off events in the spring and summer, and True Value Hardware in Ellettsville accepts book donations on our behalf. These businesses are classified as Red Cross "volunteers" for their part in the Book Fair. However, our biggest supporters are area residents, reaching as far away as Bedford, who donate pre-owned books and other media every day of the year, helping to make the Book Fair our signature fundraising event.

Who started the Book Fair?
In 1983, Betty Hogue, an active supporter of the Red Cross, heard that several libraries and other organizations held regular book sales. She anticipated that a university town should have enough books and enough interested people to support such an event. Joan Simkowitz and Pat Kingsbury took over the chair position in 1996, and Pat still chairs the committee and manages the many details involved in the sale.

Who are some of the long time members of the Book Fair committee?
Several book fair volunteers have been involved from the beginning, including Bobbie Mueller, Joann Dodd, Bob Dodd, Pat Hodge, Eleanor Byrnes, Anne Honeycutt, and Pat Kingsbury. Others who made a significant contribution but have passed away include Betty Hogue, Doris Seward, Marge Barnhart, and Judy Records. Carleton Hodge was also a dedicated and knowledgeable worker, especially with collectible books. Current Book Fair Committee members include co-chairs Pat Kingsbury and Karen Mikesell, Susie Hamilton, Susan Eastman, Joann Dodd, Barbara Burkhead, Bobbie Mueller, Katie Metz, Jamee Wissink, and Anne Honeycutt.

Why do the volunteers continue to do such detailed and often back-breaking work year after year?
Dedication! It is a labor of love to see that unwanted books find a good home, and Book Fair volunteers are happy to know that their work and the money it raises is put to good use. Overall, the men and women who are involved in the fair year after year truly believe in the mission of the American Red Cross!