Students will be able to purchase the staples of literature with their pocket change at the English Department's first Book Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007.
Between 700 and 1,000 books will be for sale from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Clemens 306. Prices will range from 10 cents to $1.
"I believe this is the very first (book sale), but if it's a success, we may do more," said English Department Chair Cristanne Miller.
The books have been donated to the department by the estate of Jerome Gentes, a former English professor at Buffalo State College. Gentes' son gave Miller permission to sell his father's extensive collection in order to benefit NAME, UB's literary magazine.
The magazine, in its tenth year, features exceptional pieces of poetry and prose written by students. According to Miller, many students who win undergraduate writing prizes also submit their material to NAME, which is published once each year, usually in the spring.
Miller expects the books to be mostly literature and criticism, with a few bestsellers here and there.
"My guess is there will be a wide selection of a few bestsellers and lots of classics," Miller said.
The books are used, but Miller thinks they will be in very good condition since they belonged to a professor who treasured his collection.
According to Miller, the wide selection of used books will appeal to a variety of students and faculty and will be a good way for them to add literary "greats" to their personal collections.
"We imagine there will be a lot that...undergraduates, graduate students and professors will enjoy," Miller said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
