AAUW Book Sale, 'Koran By Heart,' Bedminster Land Use Board Coming Up Thursday

Book lovers and collectors are expected to arrive in droves to attend the Somerset Hills Branch of American Association of University Women's annual giant book sale, which will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, Aug. 9, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Bernardsville Middle School off Seney Drive.

The sale benefits the AAUW's scholarships program, local libraries and other charities.

Book prices will remain the same as last year, according to information on the Somerset Hills AAUW website. Books, both hardback and paperback, in the main room will be sold at $1, except for some of the smaller children’s books that will be sold at 50 cents.

On the first day, Thursday, there will be a 25 percent added premium on books in the main room. Rare and choice books in the separate room managed by Beryl Hunter are priced individually and are not subject to the first-day 25 percent premium.

Long lines expected first day

There is no admission charge to attend the book sale. However, admission numbers will be passed out to determine entry order for the long line that always forms on the morning of the first day of the sale starting at 9 a.m., the website said.

There are some other indoor things to do on Thursday.

M. Ali Chaudry, President of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge, will be on hand to discuss and answer questions regarding “Koran by Heart,” a documentary that will be shown in a free screening at 7 p.m. on Thursday at 1 Anderson Hill Road in Bernardsville.

“Koran By Heart” came to Bernardsville Library’s collection as part the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf grant awarded to the library earlier this year by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. The Muslim Journeys Bookshelf consists of twenty-five books, three feature films, a one-hour collection of short films, and a one-year subscription to Oxford Islamic Studies online.  This collection of materials aids the library in its mission to connect the community with trustworthy resources and tools for engaging in discussion. 

The film follows three 10-year olds who leave their native countries to participate in one of the Islamic world’s most famous competitions—a test of memory and recitation known as The International Holy Koran Competition.

An original handwritten manuscript of the Koran along with some 15 to 20 original calligraphy pieces by the same artist will be on display at the library a few days before and after the film screening.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Those attending from the area are asked to register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Also on Thursday evening, the Bedminster Township Land Use Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. to discuss a proposed AT&T expansion. 

However, the Thursday evening meeting of the Bernardsville Planning Board is canceled, according to the borough website.