BEAT Opens New Chapters: The Benefits of A Free Book Fair

19 February 2023Deborah Z, Alex ‘23

This past week, the Arts Building has been populated with a vast array of books free of charge for Brentwood students and staff to browse and use to expand their own personal libraries. This Free Book Fair is a fantastic way for students to access and keep books without any financial barrier. Additionally, they can promote literacy and a love of reading in the community.

The free book fair is furthering fostering a love of learning within the students. Students have the opportunity to discover new genres and authors, which can expand their knowledge and ignite a passion for reading. This passion can extend beyond the classroom, leading students to pursue reading as a hobby and furthering their personal development. “As a student who can’t afford to buy books in bookstores, this is so handy and resourceful and it has all of my favorite books right where all of my classes are. It’s so convenient and easy” shares Lucy M, Mack ‘23.

Moreover, a free book fair can be a fun and exciting event for students. It can create a buzz of excitement around reading and provide students with an opportunity to explore different genres and authors. The event is also an opportunity for students to socialize and engage with peers who share similar interests. This social aspect of the book fair can foster a sense of community and create a positive atmosphere within the Brentwood community.

“I never really found any book interesting to me until I found a cool infographic book about fungi at the fair. That was the first time a book caught my eye and I’m glad it did” says Ava A, Alex ‘25.

Did you know that around 320 million books end up in landfills every year? That’s 320 million once skimmed through and then tossed in the trash books written by incredibly intelligent writers. Free book fairs are an amazing way to promote environmental sustainability. Rather than purchasing new books, the fair allows for the recycling and reusing books that are still in good condition. By sharing books, students can reduce their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable way of living. “When Mr Stevens told us that the Library was culling its collection, we wanted to do what we could to keep as many of these books out of the landfill as possible” Mr Ganley, AP Literature Teacher and BEAT Sponsor comments. “Our garbage gets shipped almost 700 kms, by truck, barge and train, to the Roosevelt Landfill in southeastern Washington State so we need to do all we can to reduce our waste.”

Thank you to the BEAT (Brentwood Environmental Action Team) – specifically Tedra G, Mack ‘24 – for organizing such a fun, impactful event. As a book nerd, it is so fulfilling to see an event like this be encouraged and supported by the school community. Go check out the Arts Building – before Monday, Feb. 21 at 3:00pm – to discover a new captivating read!

Deborah Z, Alex ‘23

Where Students Choose To Be