The vision was bold but simple: Use the Westport Library’s well-established, successful used book sales as a platform to become an even greater force for good in the community.
With that, the Westport Book Shop was born. Now, five years later, it stands as a true Westport success story, a half-decade of making a difference and empowering those with disabilities.
Co-Managers Ashley and Katherine.
“Five years ago, the Westport Book Shop opened our doors with a simple but powerful objective: to create a place where inclusion, purpose and community could thrive,” said Jocelyn Barandiaran, president of Westport Book Sale Ventures, the official name of the organization that runs the Book Shop and the Library book sales. “Thanks to our patrons, volunteers, staff, community partner and donors, that mission has grown into something remarkable.”
The genesis of the Westport Book Shop dates to 1993. That was when the Friends of The Westport Library held the Library’s first used book sale. That small event quickly grew into a can’t-miss attraction that draws thousands of avid readers each year.
A transformative change occurred in 2019, with the creation of Westport Book Sale Ventures. Westport Book Sale Ventures was constructed as a separate nonprofit organization dedicated to utilizing the Library’s used book sale operation not only to raise funds for the Westport Library, but also to provide competitive employment and workplace skills training for adults and young adults with disabilities, including diverse learning abilities. This expansion led to a new venture, the Westport Book Shop, which opened its doors on January 28, 2021, and currently resides at 23 Jesup Road, across Jesup Green from the Library.
Today, the Westport Book Shop boasts more than 50 individual volunteers, working under the guidance of the Book Shop co-managers Katherine Caro and Ashley Wilson. Best of all, to date the shop has provided more than 12,500 hours of meaningful, Co-Managers Ashley and Katherine.
“The growth of the Book Shop has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Bill Harmer, executive director of the Westport Library. “We are of course forever grateful for the work of the Westport Book Sale Ventures team in helping to grow the biannual book sale, but beyond that, we’re thrilled to see the difference they’ve made in the community and how they’ve given back to so many in a tangible, meaningful way.”
That work is at the very core of the Book Shop’s mission.
Volunteer Juliet with employee Wyatt at the cashwrap desk.
“We are, of course, a bookstore, with an amazing collection of gently used books that reflect the wide variety of interests of our community of generous book donors,” said Sharuna Mahesh, vice president and secretary of Westport Book Sale Ventures. “And like any business, we strive to be successful and profitable. But our work is also focused on people — providing meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community space for readers, artists, and volunteers.”
The numbers bear that out. Through September 2025, the Book Shop registered more than 34,000 customer transactions, sold more than 115,000 items, and, together with the continuing traditional Big Book Sale Events, contributed more than $325,000 to The Westport Library.
The Book Shop has also become a beacon for writers and artists. More than 25 local authors in all have been showcased there, with events ranging from appearances to talks to readings, and more than 60 local artists and photographers have exhibited their work in the space.
The community has noticed. More than 15 local nonprofits have teamed up with the Book Shop, including the Library, Wakeman Town Farm, Garden Club, Read to Grow, United Nations Association of Southwest Connecticut, Earthplace, Tree Board, the Westport Department of Human Services, Club 203, Sweet P Bakery, Remarkable Theater, St. Thomas Aquinas and more.
True to its mission, the Book Shop has provided an outlet for growth and learning as well. It serves as a vocational training site for the Staples High School Connections transition program, which helps provide life skills and vocational training for young adults in the high school special education program, and the shop also hosts area high school students for senior spring internships.
Westport Book Shop
In fact, there are more than a dozen high school students among the 50 Book Shop volunteers. Many more teens from Westport and area high school transition programs— including Fairfield and Norwalk—are counted among the 100 community members who regularly volunteer at the biannual book sale events.
Add it all up, and the result is a place that is as remarkable as it is admired. With five years down and countless more extraordinary years to come.
“It’s been so rewarding and absolutely inspirational to see what the Book Shop has become,” said Barandiaran. “The five years have flown by, and we’ve been so fortunate. The community has really rallied around us, to help us build something meaningful. And we have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers who care about our mission, the people we serve — and of course, about books!
“Every book purchased, every hour volunteered, every conversation shared in the Shop contributes to a world where everyone belongs.”
For more on the Westport Book Shop’s fifth anniversary, visit its fifth anniversary webpage at westportbooksaleventures.org/wbsturns5. And donate today (westportbooksaleventures.org/donate) to help the Book Shop achieve its goal of raising $50,000 for its fifth anniversary to support its mission.
If you’re interested in volunteering with Westport Book Sale Ventures, please email volunteers@westportbooksales.org.
And if you have gently used books for donation, please drop them off at the donation center located in the upper parking lot between the Library and the Levitt Pavilion, close to the Library’s café entrance.