Members of the American Association of University Women and community volunteers are readying the Bethlehem Municipal Ice rink for the 2022 Used Book Fair. Co-chairs Rita Bergstrom and Amy Fields hope this year’s fundraiser will break the cumulative $1 million mark.

Proceeds, after expenses, are used to fund scholarships for graduating senior women from Liberty HS, Freedom HS, Saucon Valley HS and the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts, as well as non-traditional students. The last book fair was held in 2019 and this year’s event will be the second at the ice rink after many years being held in the Memorial Pool bathouse.

According to Bergstrom and Fields, about 15 scholarships are awarded annually, but during COVID less than five were given out due over two years due to the event being canceled.

They noted that in the first few days of accepting donations of used books that the volume of donations has been extraordinary, which should provide more than the estimated 60,000 to 100,000 books traditionally offered at the fair. Book donations will be accepted through April 26 on Mondays through Saturdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

This year’s used book fair will be held from April 28 through May 2 with a preview day April 28 where entry between 2 and 4 p.m. costs $20 and entry between 4 and 6 p.m. costs $15. Free entry days are April 29 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., April 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 1 from noon to 6 p.m. (1/2 price) and May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon (bag day @ $10 per bag). Only cash and checks are accepted. Electronic devices are permitted.

Visit Bethlehem-pa.aauw.net for additional information.