The Cultural Center de Mesilla/Border Book Festival, (BBF) Inc. will offer a workshop with John Randall on The Value and Care of Out of Print books, on Sunday, December 17 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The cost of the workshop is $25 with a 10% discount for BBF members. Reservations are necessary and can be made at 505-523-3988 or online at bbf@zianet.com

Workshop participants will be the first to view 43 books that will be featured in a Holiday book sale that will begin at 3:00 pm at the Center. They are Children's books, art books, fine bindings, and signed first editions and signed limited editions of literature. Their publication dates range from 1521 to 1990, and their prices range from $20 to $500. Each of the books is illustrative of a particular aspect of book collecting, and Randall will use them in this way in the seminar. After the seminar, they will go on sale.

Besides learning the criteria for evaluating first edition and out-of-print books, participants will learn how to go online to various sites that will help them evaluate the value of their books as well as learning about resources that will help preserve the integrity of the books they have.

Everyone is asked to bring a book to be evaluated, a ‘la Antique Road show, the popular television program that features antiques and their evaluation by authorities. Randall will take participants through a process that is part mystery tour with a lot of detective work thrown in. Participants are assured an exhilarating journey through the world of books.

Workshop leader, John Randall has bought and sold out-of-print books for 25 years. He was the owner and manager of Salt of the Earth Books, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, specializing in Latin American, Native American and Chicano Literature, from 1974 to 1994. For 5 years he was a book buyer for the University of New Mexico Bookstore. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Booksellers Association and the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association. He has been on the faculty of a number of the Schools for Prospective and Advanced Booksellers, which are offered each year by the American Booksellers Association. Mr. Randall is a graduate of the AB Bookman’s School for out-of-print booksellers.

Do you have books to sell? Do you want to have a valuable book evaluated? This workshop is for readers, writers, librarians, educators, lovers of books and anyone who is interested in booklore and history. Can’t think of a special gift for someone who loves to read? This festive Holiday Book sale will offer you a chance to give a unique one of a kind gift to someone special. Gift certificates are also available.

For more information on the workshop or the book sale call 523-3988 or bbf@zianet.com http://borderbookfestival.org/