Local library can reap rewards, too

“Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort’s wands share the same magical core … what is it?” Your choices are: a branch from the Whomping Willow; a heartstring from a Hungarian Horn-tailed Dragon; hair from the mane of a unicorn; or a feather from Professor Dumbeldore’s pet Phoenix.

If you know the answer to the above trivia question and are in the mood for answering more questions and for having fun and winning prizes, then you will want to mark your calendar for Friday, June 20 and be at Lift Bridge Books in Brockport at 11 p.m. The store will open then and the newest installment to the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will be available after midnight. “We’re going to have trivia games, refreshments, Hogwarts-style games and other events,” book shop co-owner Pat Kutz said. “Everyone who pre-orders a book is invited and anyone who just wants to join in the fun can come, also.”

In addition to offering an evening of fun and Harry Potter-style excitement, Kutz and her husband, Archie, have decided to donate $5 in store credit to the library of the purchaser’s choice when they buy the book. “Given the financial situations that schools and libraries find themselves in, this just seemed like a good idea,” Kutz said. “I think people think of us as good citizens and this is something else we can do to help our community.”

Kutz acknowledges that most small booksellers can’t compete with the Amazons or the Barnes and Nobles but they can offer to give something back to the community, and they can throw open their doors and offer Harry Potter fans the chance to mix and mingle. “It’s not always about the money, sometimes it’s about other things like community and helping others,” she said of the donations to the libraries.

The draw and anticipation of this book is because the author has done such a good job with the details, she said. “These are fun to read books that are well written,” Kutz explained, adding that the wait between books has also heightened the anticipation.

Lift Bridge is accepting pre-paid orders. The pre-payment will go on the Lift Bridge Saver’s Club and when you make your purchase, $5 in store credit will be donated to the local library of the purchaser’s choice. Pre-paid orders are being accepted until June 1, Kutz said. “The pre-paid orders will be distributed first … at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, June 21.”

There are bound to be at least a few people in costume for the event, Kutz said. “Some of the people who work here at the store are going a little nuts and I know they have planned some special things for that evening,” she said. “It will be exciting to stay up late, eat weird food and win prizes.”

Lift Bridge is located on Main Street in Brockport. Call the store at 637-2260 for more information.