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Although itās been around for years, you may have never heard of the semi-annual Used Book, Movie & Music Sale hosted by the College Womenās Club of Montclair.
So what is it? Itās exactly what it sounds like. But the meaning behind it and the money raised through it are so much more.
The College Womenās Club of Montclair (CWCM) was founded on May 25, 1911. The first book sale was held in 1935.
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āIts first objective,ā the website reads, āpromoting congenial sociability, expanded within the year to include a second, that of providing college scholarship aid to girls graduating from local high schools.ā
Naturally, the club grew and changed in its nearly 115 years, but helping young women pay for college has remained a primary objective.
In fact, in 2024, the group awarded over $44,000 in scholarships to college-bound seniors from local high schools. The 19 recipients hailed from Montclair, Glen Ridge, Cedar Grove and Verona High Schools. In 2025, awards of $39,000 were given to 25 students from the same schools, as well as Bloomfield High School. To date, the club has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships.
The bulk of the funding for these scholarshipsāmore than 90%āis raised through the clubās two used book sales. Twice each year, the club opens its doors for donations of thousands of hard and softcover books, DVDs, CDs, records, and audio books, sheet music, maps, postcards, and magazines from before 1980, all with some exceptions. The donations are then categorized, sorted and priced entirely by volunteers to prepare for the upcoming sales.
The sales, as well as everything else, are staffed by volunteers ranging in ages from junior high students to octogenarians. Working side by side, local folks come together to make the book sales and the club a success.
āThe importance of the CWC is the scholarship award program, but itās also a community project,ā said Nancy Perlman, president, book sale co-chair and 30-year volunteer.
In addition to the book sales, the club also hosts a number of events throughout the year. These programs often include speakers presenting on topics relevant to local residents.
Membership is open to anyone holding a degree from an accredited college, university or other post-secondary institution.
Find Your Next Read
This year, the fall sale will be held on November 6th through 9th, with the following times and specifications:
The sale will be held at 26 Park Street, Montclair, in the Technopulp Building.
For more information about the sale, donations, volunteering or membership, visit the website.
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