ALT 50 Words on 50 Years of Book Bazaars Georgene Jones, Treasurer of the Friends of the LSU Libraries Georgene has volunteered at Book Bazaars for the past 11 years.

ALT Large indoor bazaar with many people browsing tables filled with various items in a gymnasium setting. Georgene Jones' 50 on 50, "[During my first sale,] it seemed like Jon Byrd (another volunteer) and I just kept passing each other, moving boxes to tables. I felt like we were bowling balls trying to get through all the people. I had been to the Bazaar as a customer before but not a volunteer. It was fun.”

ALT Volunteers in yellow aprons assist customers browsing books at a community Book Bazaar. Is there a moment when you realized how much the sale means to the community? “There actually is. That was after COVID. That first sale after COVID made me realize how much people missed the Book Bazaar[…] I hope people remember the good time they had. It brings back many memories.”

ALT Two women and one man, exchanging a check with smiles. What’s your favorite part of working with the volunteer team? “The camaraderie and the friendship of the people at the Book Barn. We’ve got a lot to talk about but one thing in particular—books! […] I’m glad the organization has been able to stay together this long. It’s an accomplishment to be able to continue providing this.”

ALT Banner announcing the history of the LSU Library Book Bazaar with details about its 1976 inception led by Rosalind McKenzie. "The inaugural Book Bazaar was held in the spring of 1976 under Vice President Rosalind McKenzie, who chaired the first Book Bazaar committee. Among her other notable contributions to the Baton Rouge community, McKenzie was the first woman elected president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation in 1983. "

ALT In a 2011 edition of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s newsletter, Currents, former LSU chancellor Paul Murrill had this to say about her, “She worked to better LSU and its libraries because she cared about her community and she saw the university as part of that community.”

ALT 50 on 50: 50 Words on 50 Years of Book Bazaars Anita Adams, Vice President of the Friends of the LSU Libraries Anita has volunteered at Book Bazaars for the past 16 years.

ALT Anita Adams' 50 on 50 “After the 2016 flood, people came and found books they had lost in the flood. That sale made me realize it’s more than just the books. It’s all the memories that go with them. Many people were in tears after finding something they had lost and [overwhelmed by] memories that went with the books.”

ALT Comparison of 1985 and 2025 book bazaars showing evolution from a small barn setup to a large coliseum event with more space and books. How has the sale changed over the years? "It has changed. Almost every year it’s evolved. You observe what you do and the next year try to build a better mousetrap. Moving [the book sale] into the [John Parker Coliseum] was the best thing we ever did. We had room for more books and that meant more that could be sold."

ALT Three volunteers wearing LSU aprons stand among tables filled with books at the Book Bazaar celebrating its 50th anniversary. What does it mean to see the Book Bazaar reach its 50th year? "I take pride that I had a hand in it and that it continues to thrive. Through the years I’ve had input that mattered. I don’t see the bazaar going away unless we find some time in the future when we don’t have any book barn workers."

ALT This April, the Friends of the LSU Libraries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their annual Book Bazaar. This milestone offers a timely opportunity to explore how this entirely volunteer-powered used book sale has become one of our area’s most enduring traditions while shaping LSU Libraries’ Special Collections through its fundraising.

ALT The Friends of the LSU Libraries formed in the spring of 1962. Its purpose was “cooperating with the librarians in the development of the resources of the LSU [L]ibraries.” Photos: 1) Catherine Reames and Mike the Tiger, 1985 2) Julie Hamilton, H. Rouse Caffey, James Wharton, 1987

ALT The inaugural Book Bazaar was held in the spring of 1976 under Vice President Rosalind McKenzie, who chaired the first Book Bazaar committee. Photos: Portrait of Rosalind McKenzie, chair of the first LSU Book Bazaar committee in 1976, with a vintage photo of the 1992 Bazaar team. Caption: Bud Davis, Mike the Tiger, H. Rouse Caffey, and Jennifer Cargill, 1992

ALT Mardi Gras Hours: LSU Libraries will have changes to the following hours for the Mardi Gras holiday. Sat. Feb 14, Closed Sun., Feb. 15, 12 PM – 6 PM Mon., Feb. 16, 7 AM – 6 PM Tues., Feb. 17, Closed Visit lib.lsu.edu/hours for the most up-to-date information.

ALT Tiger-headed figure in a purple suit and sunglasses stands confidently on a New York City street at dusk for Fashion Week 2026 cover.

ALT Tiger wearing purple suit, yellow shirt, and round sunglasses with 'Fashion' headline and LSU Libraries branding.

ALT Tiger wearing round sunglasses and a purple suit with a yellow shirt stands in a library aisle filled with books for LSU Library Fashion Week 2026.

ALT Tuesday, February 10 Mardi Gras Trivia, (6 PM, 109 LSU Library) Wednesday, February 11 Behind-the-Scenes Tours of Hill Memorial Library (2 PM, Hill Memorial Library) Thursday, February 12 Valentine's Day Cards and Mardi Gras Masks, (11 AM, LSU Library Lobby) List of events this week. Full details available at lsu.libcal.com/calendar.

ALT Graphic in the style of the front page of a newspaper reads: LSU Libraries News January 2026. View full text at the newsletter link in the caption.

ALT Image of a folded paper plane flying through a library reads, "Interlibrary loan; borrow print and electronic materials from anywhere!"