Last Chance to Save an LGB Institution

By Sophia Lashmar, Year 11

Cynthia, Janine, Hilde, Sonia, Naiara, Genevieve, Edyta, Sinead, and Chus. The dedicated, friendly, and knowledgeable volunteers who maintain and run LGB’s Book Cellar. The Book Cellar is yet another example of LGB’s community spirit and the PTA’s commitment to improving the school with donation-funded projects. 

For those who are unaware, the Book Cellar and Bazaar are PTA-run second-hand books, toys, games, and clothes stores that operate off of donations from LGB students, staff, and parents. 

As mentioned in a previous article about the Book Cellar, “The bookstore boasts a wide selection of books in English, French, and many other languages. In the first room are children’s books, French books, foreign-language books, non-fiction, cookbooks, and textbooks. If you enjoy English fiction, bestselling classics, thrillers, science fiction or historical fiction, then the second room of the bookstore is for you! If you are unsure of where to look for your favorite genre or author, the staff at the bookstore are friendly and helpful, so do not hesitate to ask for help. For students that are always losing their textbooks, outside the bookstore are shelves for spare textbooks donated by past students, and the books are free for you to take home and try not to lose (again!).”

Over the years, the stores have raised tens of thousands of francs that have gone towards planning school events and enhancing the campus through projects such as picnic bench areas, the climbing wall and the support of student-run clubs. These volunteers that run the Book Cellar are unpaid and do so out of the kindness of their hearts. They are knowledgeable, friendly and always willing to give advice about books, or to simply have a chat. 

Unfortunately, the Book Cellar and Bazaar’s time has come to an end after so many years of service at our school. Due to circumstances beyond the school’s control, the space used by the Book Cellar is being repurposed, leaving them homeless. The store and all of its stock have nowhere to go and are actively looking for a new home on campus (they are willing to listen to any suggestions as to where they could set up shop). 

This space is one that holds happy memories for many students, staff, parents and alumni and it is crucial that it remain open, even in another location. It remains part of our school and provides a space for people to meet, socialize and discuss books, which are at the center of our learning here at LGB. 

In the meantime, the stores are trying to make the most of their last week in business and go out with a bang. They are looking to reduce their stock and raise money as a final hurrah. To thank the Ecolint community for all of its support over the years and to wish everyone farewell, the Book Cellar and Bazaar will be open every day this week from 8:15 until 16:30 in the Primary School basement. 

Take pride in our school and support our school community — pay a visit to the Book Cellar and Bazaar to say goodbye and buy plenty of books! Most importantly, challenge the school to find the Book Cellar and Bazaar a new home, and allow this beacon of community spirit to live on.