Salem's Book Swap Event Cancelled Amid Coronavirus Concerns

SALEM, MA—The book swap scheduled this coming Saturday, March 14, has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns, according to organizers with Salem Recycles.

Organizers of the upcoming event say the cancellation was prompted by Gov. Charlie Baker's state of emergency declaration and a recommendation from Salem's health department.

"With the hundreds of people who attend this event, we do not want to risk anyone getting sick," organizers wrote on Facebook. "We are disappointed to have to cancel such an exciting community event, but safety is our number one priority."

The next book swap is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12.

If you have books you wanted to donate this Saturday that you cannot hold on to until September, organizers say you may consider these alternatives:

• Goodwill has drop-off locations in the parking lot of the Peabody Stop & Shop (19 Howley Street) and Swampscott Stop & Shop (450 Paradise Road).
• PaperBack Swap is an online site that allows you to trade books with other users for free.
• More Than Words empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
• Books for Africa has a mail-in program for new or used books to benefit children in Africa.

According to Gov. Charlie Baker, at last check, there were 92 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts — 91 of them presumptive positive tests — and the number was expected to increase as more testing is done.

SEE ALSO:

• MA Coronavirus: More Than 1,000 Have Been Subject To Quarantine

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