Annual Will Co. Book Event Promoting Literacy Canceled

WILL COUNTY, IL — Will County's annual book collection event has been canceled this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sponsored by Will County’s Resource Recovery and Energy Division and Joliet Park District’s Pilcher Park Nature Center, this is usually a three-day event where people may bring unwanted soft and hard cover books to be placed on tables for others to take.

Tim Anderson, who coordinates the book collection for the Will County Land Use Department, said the event, set to be held between June5-7 this year, had earlier been rescheduled for September before being canceled.

Each year thousands of books change hands or are recycled, keeping them out of the landfill, he said.

"We anticipate the annual book collection event will resume in the spring of 2021," Anderson said.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh said in a news release last year that the purpose of this event is "twofold."

"We want to keep the books out of our landfill and, at the same time, promote literacy," he said. "This event hits both of our goals."

Will County Executive Denise Winfrey said in a Thursday release: "We know this is a great disappointment to everyone who waits for this event each year. But with the threat of COVID-19 everywhere, caution is king. We would be remiss if we put our employees, volunteers and attendees at risk to hold the book recycling collection this year."

She said she hopes schools and individuals can hold on to their books until the spring, so they won’t go into the landfill.