From March 23 to the 26th, Ashland University’s Archer Library hosted the Scholastic Book Fair, which is an event that promotes reading by offering students access to a wide variety of bookswhile raising funds and resources for the university, with 25% of every online purchase benefiting the school. 

The book fair, which was open for the Ashland University community and featured the newest books, bestselling series and favorite characters that students enjoy, took place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. 

The fair featured several different types of books for all ages, including children’s picture books, comic books, sports books and young adult/adult chapter books in various genres. 

Because of the several different types of books that were provided at the event, attendees can easily choose their favorite type of book or book series. 

Two AU students who attended the book fair, Autumn Kozak and Haleigh Gilmore, said their two favorite types of books were “science fiction” and “dystopian” respectively. 

An event like the Scholastic Book Fair coming to Ashland University is a very big deal for many reasons, with some of them being bringing back nostalgic times from having book fairs in elementary school or simply just wanting to check it out to see what it has to offer. 

“I walked by (the book fair) earlier, and it looked kind of silly, so I was like, you know, why not? I could see the kids’ books through the window on the way to one of my classes, and I was like, ‘that looks like fun,’” said Kozak. 

“I remember the book fair coming to my school when I was a kid. I wanted to see how much it changed,” Gilmore said.  

Another reason why the book fair coming to AU was a big deal was that if students didn’t enjoy it when they were younger and didn’t get what they want either because they didn’t have enough money or their parents didn’t let them buy whatever book(s) they wanted. Now that they’re college grown-ups, they really get to experience the magic it has to offer. 

“I didn’t really enjoy going to the book fair because my mom would never get me any money for it,” explained Kozak.  

While Kozak didn’t think of getting any books at the time, Gilmore had an idea in mind about what she wanted to get. 

“I think I’m going to get this Hansel Gretel retelling book. That looks good,” said Gilmore.  

In terms of what the book fair coming to AU meant for specifically Kozak and Gilmore, they both said, “that’s what you do at school” and it “definitely” provided both of them a sense of nostalgia from when they were younger.