Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of the committee is to promote literacy and the love of books to the Newman Community. The committee plans the annual book fair at Newman Elementary School. The book fair is usually held once a year for a full week in the school’s media center. Generally, this is during the month of November. The media center is converted into a large bookstore. Newman Elementary gains a significant share of the proceeds with which they purchase books for the classrooms and the media center. In addition most children go home with a book and many books are purchased for teachers from the Book Fair Classroom Wish Lists.

The committee strives for the greatest number of books sold to achieve the highest percentage of sales and these proceeds directly benefit Newman Elementary classrooms, media center, and reading specialists etc. For example, proceeds from the 2006 book fair were targeted to grades 3-5 and these grade level teachers were able to shop with the bonus dollars earned from sales.

Events

An annual book fair, usually held in November, that lasts for one week. The book fair is open during most school hours and a brief period before and after school. One evening is usually scheduled for a Family Night from 5-8pm.

Volunteer Responsibility

Planning the event usually starts the prior school year, but the bulk of the work is done during the fall. The book fair runs for a week and this includes at least one day of set up. There is a wide span of time you may volunteer for the Book Fair Committee:

Co-chairperson/s: The committee chairpersons help promote, merchandise, and schedule (classes and volunteers) for the book fair. This helps ensure the event is organized with many books and volunteers. Three to four people meet in late Spring (prior school year) and organize all the event logistics including, but not limited to: setting a date, choosing a book supplier, promoting event and organizing a volunteer list. During the event you may track sales and money.

Book fair volunteer: Someone willing to give one or two hours of their time. Prior to and after the event we need help setting up and breaking down the physical structures of the book fair. During the event the volunteer would come into the media center and either assists children making their book choices or help manage the cash register. Outside of the event the committee could use help with setting up bulletin boards and/or signs for the event.