With several boxes and bags filled with used textbooks, novels and magazines collected by students, Algonquin Reads held its book sale in the Student Commons from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4 to promote reading paperbacks.

“I know some people exclusively read paper books because they use a screen so much for work or school that they want to get away from it in their leisure time,” said Catrina McBride, English professor with the School of Business and chair of the Algonquin Reads committee.

Algonquin Reads was founded by Helena Merriam, coordinator of the library technician program. One of its primary goals is to promote Canadian literature, specifically.

“The program was inspired by the CBC Radio program Canada Reads,” McBride said.

Similar to that program, Algonquin Reads announces a book of the year after much deliberation from the committee. This year they have chosen Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz, who will be visiting Algonquin to speak to students on Nov. 22.

The funds raised by book sales go towards author visits and the student writing contest which will take place in January. With three grand prizes of $75, students are encouraged to write reviews, essays and creative pieces based on Bone and Bread.

Book lovers on campus have a small book selection and reading space in the library located in the A-building. By this time next year, however, construction for the Entrepreneurship and Learning Centre and Institute for Indigenous Entrepreneurship should be completed, which will hold a brand new library.

“There will be a lot more technology and it will be bigger and brighter for the students,” said Lorraine Ladouceur, library technician.

This new space will offer more selection for students as the current library, due to lack of room, keeps the majority of its books in a room separate from the library.