Book fairs aren’t just for grade school children anymore. Full Circle Bookstore will be hosting a Grown-Up Book Fair for the community to benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Oklahoma County, a nonprofit organization through which children can sign up to receive one free book a month until they turn five years old. The event will feature live music, activities, and have stacks of books from which to purchase at the book fair on Saturday, June 17, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The event will also have a photo booth, face painting, and a wine pull. The first 200 shoppers who purchase a book will get a free goodie bag. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase in the Full Circle Garden Café, and food trucks will be on site. A live band will play songs from past decades.
Steven Zoeller, Full Circle Bookstore Assistant Manager said, “Millennials and Zoomers hold close to their hearts memories of the book fairs they would attend in grade school. We want to capture and replicate the magic of those times for an adult audience. But it’s not all about nostalgia. The books on display will reflect current trends and mature tastes. It’s important for us to partner with the Imagination Library because their mission is a noble one and one that we wholeheartedly support.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a national program that works with local affiliate organizations to secure funds covering the cost of books and shipping fees.
The Read With Me Foundation is one of the affiliates for the Oklahoma County organization.
Michelle Dill, Read With Me Foundation Founder and President, explained, “I started the Read With Me Foundation because I spent a lot of time with my Grandpa David. He couldn’t read. He tried learning a couple of times in his lifetime but never achieved much of a reading level. Our education was always important to him because he didn’t get one. I thought this was a great way to give back to the community and honor his memory at the same time.”
The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County is another affiliate.
Heather Zeoli, Metropolitan Library System Development and Volunteer Services Director, said, “We are so grateful for Full Circle Bookstore always strongly supporting libraries and access for reading and learning. Funds from the Grown-Up Book Fair will help us in our shared missions to bring more books and the passion for reading and learning to more people, specifically children under the age of five in Oklahoma County. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a renowned early literacy book gifting program, and having the community support to cover program costs is essential to ensuring we can continue to offer this resource.”
Zoeller continued, “There’s something poetic and beautiful about adults rediscovering the childhood experience of reading at an event that benefits actual children by increasing their access to books. It sends a message that reading is something you can enjoy and learn from at every stage of your life.”
The Grown-Up Book Fair will be on Saturday, June 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the atrium at the indoor entrance of Full Circle Bookstore located in 50 Penn Place on the first floor at 1900 NW Expressway in Oklahoma City.