A book lovers' paradise of 50 exhibitors returns Saturday, Sept. 21, with the 30th annual Rochester Book Fair at St. John Fisher College's Student Life Center, 3690 East Ave. in Pittsford. Hosted by the Friends of the University of Rochester Libraries, it is the oldest regional book fair in the United States.
Special attractions include a chance to discover how valuable your own books might be. Experts will give informal appraisals of books for $2 each (with a maximum of three) from 10 a.m. to noon. Hours for the book fair are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, but free to members of the Friends and to University of Rochester students.
Dealers travel from several states and Canada to sell rare and out-of-print books, maps, prints, and other unusual items at the fair. For collectors of ephemera, photographs, trade cards, advertisements, political material, and maps can be found. All proceeds benefit the University of Rochester Libraries.
But the book fair isn't just for collectors. Bids during the silent auction can be placed on a range of specialty items from books to pottery and glass, and a huge bargain-hunters' booth run by the Friends offers thousands of used books.
On the evening before the fair, the public is invited to the Friends' Birthday Bash and Book Fair Patrons' Gala. Jazz keyboard artist Gap Mangione and his trio will play in Rush Rhees Library on the University of Rochester's River Campus. From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, there will be music, a new photographic exhibition of jazz greats who toured Rochester in the 1950s, and refreshments of finger foods and birthday cake.
The one-night-only Le Jazz Hot Club will benefit a variety of programs at University libraries. Tickets start at $20. For reservations, call (585) 275-4461. For more book fair information, check www.lib.rochester.edu/friends/book_fair.htm.