Trinity College Friends of the Library
6 Hoskin Avenue M5S 1H8 Toronto, ON, Canada

A few days ago, mid afternoon, came a strong voice on the phone of a retired professor - 87 years old. Hes been thinking we probably have about 30% of the boxes we need for a sale packed already, and there are ways we can begin to resume work in the sorting room for a 2021 sale. Masks, gloves, one or at most two volunteers at a time, and assigned times like those for lectures, leaving ten minutes between shifts so no one need meet anyone else in passing. Oh, Charles, thank you so much for sharing your energy, but the U of T is being very careful and still keeping non- essential people like us out of buildings on campus. He hadnt realized, but he is still dreaming of his labours of love in the basement of the college - clearly missing the meaning of it all. Like us all.

Gil Adamson has family roots at Trinity. Her father, Adrian, graduated in Philosophy about 1955 and was active in the TCDS. Her mother, Kit Hyndman, from Edmonton, lived in St. Hildas while studying Physio and Occupational Therapy in the Quonset huts on Devonshire where Massey College is now. Gil spoke about her first novel, The Outlander, at a Friends meeting a few years ago. And now this newly released story from House of Anansi Press builds on the first but stands alone.... Set largely in the forests between Banff and Lake Louise during World War One, the action reflects the wider world through remarkably self-reliant individuals - reminiscent of real bush characters to be found - at least until recently- throughout the BC interior. The blurred lines between good and evil have seldom been drawn more clearly, quandaries crystallized in prose as spare as the lives eked out on the margins. Gil holds the reader in suspense throughout, and somehow leaves them feeling more Intensely and more wisely Canadian. See more

No book sale this year. Thats the decision forced on us by circumstances around COVID-19. Weve set up an ad hoc committee to consider our options, but as yet no obvious way forward. The U of T still prohibits in-person events on campus, so our September 29th annual meeting for members will take place on Zoom. No book donations or sorting of whats already in storage can happen - yet. Those are pleasures deferred, as is browsing at what we still hope will someday be our 45th book sale - no longer exactly annual. Suggestions or questions? Best by email to [email protected].

COVID the NOMAD. WHERE ARE YOU? What else should I wipe? What more should I wash? How long should I wait before opening the newspaper and the mail? Our Childrens section reminds us we are all hunter-gatherers still.

There was one other book in the Medicine and Health section that seems worth mentioning as we struggle to comprehend the meaning of contagion. Only in 1980 was the world declared free of smallpox, despite Dr. Edward Jenners 1796 observation that milkmaids whod had cowpox seemed not to catch smallpox. Lets hope for a shorter lead time for a covid-19 vaccine.

In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history...for the second time in the lives of most of us, we are at war. So King George VI on September 3rd, 1939. These words leapt off the cover of the next book out of my $25 carton of books from day 5 of last years book sale. Oh, the new resonance of this grave hour!

A Science Fiction cover weeks ago (March 11) stood out for its dramatic design, but as the seriousness of the news from our neighbouring state to the south grows - note tonights CNN interview (April 2) with COVID-19-infected Chris Cuomo from his basement, and we reach the million mark worldwide - the title deepens in resonance. The valley of the shadow of death acquires new dimensions. May you find all the resources you need.

Announcing with regret the suspension of all book sale operations. No pick-ups, no drop-offs, no sorting, no packing, no meetings until further notice. We feel as lonely as this snowdrop on the cover of a gardening book headed for the Hobbies section - or Photography. Pass the word. Thanks to all in our community for their generosity and their patience. Wishing you all wise decisions and good luck.

As Covid-19 seizes our imaginations (two of our regular volunteers in the sorting room are over 85), these titles on the Medicine and Health shelf remind us of what has gone before. Make wise decisions. Be lucky.

Psychology section books can command prices much higher than those in most sections (except rare books). These are rarities priced at a fraction of their online prices by a clinical psychologist who knows their value.

One small section at the book sale - Books on Books - but huge appeal for many reasons. Last year it was located in Seeley Hall on the north or quadrangle wall just past the French section in the alcove.

Spotted on a Honda in a parking lot today. Food for awful thought.

Tonight, Tuesday the 25th of February, at 7:30 for 8, Alexandra Oliver will be reading and possibly even performing her poetry in the Combination Room. Twill be a riveting evening. All are welcome.

Unpredictable learning in our Childrens section, everything you need to know about cricket. Uncanny timing as we learn of the passing of long-time volunteer Ivan McFarlane. He rejoiced in finding someone who could talk about the sport, and testified to the fact he had at least once played for Trinity at Upper Canada College.

We begin again, sorting to make room for new donations. 2020 sale dates: October 22-26. Happy New Year.

Professor Robert Spencer, 99 years old, D-Day veteran, Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, former president of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, whose Atlantic Council of Canada fonds are in the Trinity archives, is interviewed by CBC after the Ottawa Remembrance Day ceremony. Our treasurer, Marion Magee, worked with Sylvia Lassam to prepare his papers for the archives and has lunch with him whenever he visits Toronto.

Bright detritus and friends, the day after.

Tuesday afternoon after the unsold books have been packed up (only 70 cartons this year), the lights and lumber and hardware need to come down. Tim, Jim and Alastair are the specialists.

The origin of climate change? A rare book sold.

Recycling one of last years TTC posters. New stick-on/peel-off numbers mean we can use these again and again. This one in the Larkin building at the east entrance to the Buttery. Sale open today 10 to 8, Sunday noon to 6, Monday 10 to 8.

P.J.s New York hotel was next door to the M&Ms World.

Two volunteers involuntarily wear similar shoes!

A volunteer working on cash in the Rare Book room yesterday reported great joy as someone bought this book - a perfect gift for a friend. As he turned each page, a new diorama popped out - a demonstrable wonder of the sale.

Inside Seeley Hall, surprised by a book on food in the Bible! Should have bought it for the planning committee for the new sustainable building as they imagine vegetables on the new green roof and landscaping for the new green spaces for our college with its Faculty of Divinity.

Thursday morning line-up extends to the basement.

Wednesday evening before the book sale begins.

Another treasure at $200 that will likely be snatched up on our first day tomorrow. Ah, the pleasures of browsing!

6 Hoskin Avenue sandwich boards, and one glimpse of storage boxes piled in the volunteer room to show how unpretentious is our own spelling as we labour to advance literacy. We open tomorrow at 11 am!

$200 in the Rare Book room, one of the real treasures - and bargains to be seen tomorrow, Thursday October 24th. College doors open later than usual, only at 6 am, but the sale itself opens at 11 am. There will be a line-up, if our lucky history repeats itself.

More poetry criticism than usual this year, were told, but this magnificent (not first) edition of Pauline Johnsons classic.

The Music section was given much to sing about this year! Turn right inside the Rare Books and Collectibles room at the top of the front stairs. Three steps rise from that upper hall at the top of the front staircase.

A book you never knew existed? Just in time for the movie of Downton Abbey!

Three generations of the Dalglish family have set up the History section for Thursday, October 24th. Our 44th annual used book sale opens at 11 am. $5 charge all day. Sale closes at 9 pm. NEW THIS YEAR: Doors open only at 6 am because of changes in college procedures. No one will be admitted earlier, even our long-standing and loyal customers. Free admission begins on Friday, October 25th at 10 am (doors again open at 6 am.) Friday closes at 9 pm. Saturday hours: 10 am to 8... pm. Sunday: noon to 6 pm. Last day is Monday: 10 am to 8 pm. Join us for a tour of books you never knew existed (photos to follow), books you always meant to read, books that speak to you of people to whom youd like to give a one-of-a-kind book, books that remind you of what you never knew. NOWS THE TIME. See you at Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue - just west of Queens Park (SW of Museum subway station) one block south of Bloor, south of Varsity Stadium, 1 1/2 blocks east of St. George, 1 block south of St. George subway station. See more

Only some of these recyclable plastic bags helped make boxes packed with books light enough to handle. We saved most of them (14 big bags at last count) to stuff inside unevenly packed boxes to stabilize and stiffen them. Our 44th book sale is almost completely set up and ready to open on Thursday the 24th.

Books on Books is a small but fascinating section that has moved, this year located on the north or quadrangle wall towards the west exit, just beyond French and Other Languages.

Discounted disks! This year our disks have multiplied to cover a large table. $2 for a single CD, $3 for a single DVD. Up to $20 (plus or minus) for a TV series. A chance to catch up on what youve missed. Plan an indulgent evening or two.

Now the Russian books have surfaced!

Foreign languages are massed along the north (right hand as you enter) side of Seeley Hall, with French filling the alcove under the window. Somewhere there are Russian books too. Our book sale reflects the global roots of Torontos population of readers.