Sigma Tau Delta to host book sale

Beginning Wednesday, April 7, Sigma Tau Delta Upsilon Beta Chapter will be holding their annual book sale in the Hall of Languages. The sale will continue through Thursday and begin again on Monday, April 12.

"The Book Sale is the primary fundraiser for Sigma Tau Delta, other than the Edgar Allan Poe-try readings," Mary K. Croft, Communications/Historian of Sigma Tau Delta said.

After Monday, the sale will no longer be held in the Hall of Languages.

"On Monday, April 26 the book sale will move to the Science building," Rick McCraw, Chairman on the Sigma Tau Delta committee for fundraising said.

The book sale has been a springtime staple for the past 15 years. Sigma Tau Delta accepts book donations from everywhere, including students and public libraries.

"Some of the books are from retired professors' libraries," Croft said.

If students have any unwanted books, it is not too late to donate them.

"If done so early, [students] can drop books off," Croft said.

The books, which range in price from 50 cents up to two dollars, are extremely diverse in selection.

"[With] books that cheap, there's bound to be something you'll like," Croft said. "You definitely have to browse. You'll never know what you'll find."

The book sale is not just limited to students looking for a good read. Professors are welcome to peruse the sale, and they have done so in the past.

"It's virtually impossible for an English professor to slip by a large display of books in her own building," Dr. Karen Roggenkamp, Associate Professor of English said. "Last year I found an oversized, beautifully illustrated history of civilization that my 11 year old still pores over."

In order to raise even more money, and also to cater to the needs of those who are purchasing books, Sigma Tau Delta will be selling lunches.

"We're offering ‘Literary Lunches,' which consist of a hot dog, chips, a soda and a cookie," Croft said.

Frequenters of the book sale need not purchase the entire lunch if they do not want the entire meal.

"We sell everything individually," McCraw said. "As far as the menu, buy the chili cheese dog ($2.50), hot dog ($1.50), or Frito pie ($2.00), and for an additional $1.50 you get a soda, chips, and sweet treat (cookies or brownies and the like). These prices are geared toward our student's wallets."

The book sale always promises an array of literature to choose from and those who wait may be missing out on some great books.

"One of the things I love about the book sale is that you never know exactly what is going to be there, including some real ‘prizes'," Roggenkamp said. "A couple of years ago someone was selling a copy of the children's classic picture book ‘Walter the Farting Dog.' Sadly, another professor beat me to it--I'm still mad about that."

Sigma Tau Delta is an honorary society for students who major or minor in English. The chapter was recently awarded an 80-year plaque, which was accepted by president Kaye McCraw at the International Convention in St. Louis, Mo., to accept the award for organization.

"She also brought back $200 to the chapter just for being in St. Louis voting in the Sigma Tau Delta elections," McCraw said.

McCraw also accepted a personal award for 15 years of service to the society.