BAC beckons for annual art book drive

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts is again collecting gently used or unwanted art and design books as part of its annual Art Book Drive.

The philanthropic endeavor has been benefiting the Kitsap Regional Library system since 2004.

BAC received a generous donation of art books, gallery officials recalled. The Bainbridge Public Library — which regularly loans more art, design and architecture books than any other branch of the Kitsap Regional Library system — was in need of new books for those departments. BAC offered the donated books to gallery browsers in exchange for a donation of their choice, with 100 percent of the proceeds to be donated to the library for purchase of new art books. The exchange proved a success, raising $4,000 that first year, BAC officials said.

“I can’t say enough about the benefits of this program for our community,” said Bainbridge Island library branch manager Rebecca Judd. “Kitsap Regional Library is able to purchase titles we wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. Thank you to everyone who has donated books to Bainbridge Arts & Crafts and thank you to BAC for sponsoring this annual book drive.”

BAC is thus once again inviting anyone to donate books about art, architecture and design, and they’ll be placed on shelves in the gallery where anyone can purchase the well-loved volumes for a donation of any amount. Selected books and every penny of the proceeds are gifted to Kitsap Regional Library to expand its collection.

Since the program’s inception, the book drive has generated over $16,000 for the Bainbridge Island branch’s collection of books on art, architecture and design.