The annual Smith College Club’s used book sale, a Baltimore tradition since 1958, is entering its final chapter. “The club has decided it can no longer sustain the book sale,” said Mary Anderson, the Baltimore Smith College Club’s president. “There are simply not enough volunteers, and rising expenses have eaten into the profits to the extent that it doesn't seem worth the number of hours needed to make such a small annual donation.”

Anderson said the 58th and final used book sale will take place beginning today at 10 a.m. and run through 8 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium. The sale continues Saturday, when it runs 10 a.m to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The sale has established an endowment that allows financial aid to a Maryland undergraduate at the Northampton, Mass., school.

The event was conceived in 1959. “The Vassar alumnae in Washington had a similar sale and I thought it might be a good idea if we tried one for Baltimore,” said Peggy Fulford in 1994 Baltimore Sun article. “So I had a tea at my house one afternoon. Maybe 14 or 16 came. I thought the sale might be a couple of tables in a church hall. Well, it took off and before long we couldn't hold it in a church. We had to rent stalls at the North Avenue Market.” The event was later held at Cross Keys and at the Towson Armory.

“We’d really like to make our last chapter a happy ending,” said Anderson.

jacques.kelly@baltsun.com