Long Island Museum hosts its first book fair

Here's one for the books at The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages.

The Stony Brook institution is hosting its first book fair, which will take place on Sept. 6 and will feature a wide-ranging selection of gently used books, most of which will sell for $4 or less. Additionally, there will be a special bundle deal available, as well as a children’s book section, a “special book” section with individually priced books and fun activities for kids.

"The idea for the book fair came from my love of attending book fairs throughout the years and a desire to create a community space for fun and learning,” said Lynn Adler, education and community programs coordinator at the Long Island Museum. “But what caught me unaware has been the deeply heartfelt experience of meeting people from the community who are donating their books, listening to their stories about their books, sharing our love of books, and seeing their joy at knowing that their treasured books will find new homes with people who will love them.”

Donations have been made by nearby residents, including some with private collections of art books and local history books. Additionally, there will be an antiquarian book section and a strong selection of coffee table books, including "The Great Book of French Impressionism" and "Masterpieces of European Painting, 1800-1920, in The Metropolitan Museum of Art."

Also available will be books about Long Island donated by local historians as well as volumes of all genres including biographies, fiction, cookbooks, children's literature and more, and a selection of DVDs.

Additionally, on Sept. 6 and 7, patrons can enjoy free admission to all three museums run by the Long Island Museum, as well as the 9-acre museum campus, which boasts art installations and sculptures, historic buildings and a fountain garden.

Hundreds are expected to attend the book fair, which coincides with Culper Spy Weekend, typically a big draw. “The Long Island Museum will have our rare surviving spy letter dated Nov. 8, 1779, on special exhibition," Adler said.

Currently, the LIM History Museum is displaying "Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art," while the LIM Art Museum has two new exhibits, "Gatsby at 100" and "Giants and Gems." The LIM’s Carriage Museum includes eight galleries that showcase the history of transportation before the invention of the automobile. Proceeds of the book fair will go toward the museum’s programming and exhibitions.

Adler adds that the museum hopes this fair is successful enough to lead to a second one next year. “This is our inaugural book fair, so we really don't know what to expect," she said. "We've got lots of books, lots of bargains, and all our books are reasonably priced.”