Three generations of volunteerism made the Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library’s book sale a family affair

The Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library held their first full-scale book sale in more than two years during the fall 2022 semester, and it was an incredible success, with $1 and $2 purchases adding up to nearly $5,000 raised to support Library acquisitions and services.  

These sales are volunteer driven, and this year’s installment was made special thanks to the efforts of a three-generation family trio with strong New Paltz connections.  

Assistant Dean of Graduate, Professional & Interdisciplinary Studies Vika Shock ’95 ‘01g, current student  Max Shock ’26, and family matriarch Carol Folau volunteered at the sale, working together to help organize, recommend and sell books to students, faculty, staff and campus vistors.

“It was so special to watch my mother and son meandering through the aisles, discussing books, straightening shelves, and searching for hidden gems,” said Shock, a longtime member of the Friends of the Library’s steering committee. “Giving back to the campus and raising money to support the library as a family was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.” 

The Friends’ book sales are not only important fundraisers for this nonprofit organization, which serves to enrich the Library’s collection of books, electronic resources, and other materials and programming essential to learning and inquiry, and also hosts public events like the annual Dennis O’Keefe Lecture.  

The events also serve as community gatherings, bringing together people from all over campus and beyond in shared love of reading, knowledge, and old-school media.  

“We are probably at our most visible when we hold our used book and media sales,” said Thomas Olsen, chair of the Friends of the Library. “How wonderful that we had three generations of a family working together, with many others, to support the Library that we all love.” 

If you’re near campus from Dec. 8 – 12, swing by the Library for another, smaller Friends sale, highlighting gift-worthy books and media from their collection.  

About the Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library

Founded in 1996, the Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library is an association of faculty, students, alumni, and community and businesspersons dedicated to promoting and enhancing the Library as a shared resource. Their mission is to support a library of distinction—a regional center of research and scholarship.

To date, the organization has contributed almost $500,000 to the Library, plus hundreds of donated books passed along directly for its permanent collection. 

Learn more about the Friends of the Sojourner Truth Library here.