Another EPIC success: $47,583 raised for students
Jeanne Bisson and Luke Quin, co-organizers and lead volunteers for the Concordia EPIC Used Book Fair.
Hundreds of readers from across Montreal stopped by Concordia’s J.W. McConnell Building atrium to purchase second-hand books in support of first-rate students on November 3 and 4.
The Concordia EPIC Used Book Fair has raised more than $432,000 over close to three decades. This year’s edition alone brought in a record $47,583.
Proceeds from the sale benefit students, including through the Concordia University Used Book Fair Scholarship, the Concordia Used Book Fair Stinger Scholarship, the Carole Lavallée Book Fair Bursary, the Susanne Dragffy Book Fair Bursary and the Student Emergency and Food Fund.
The book fair features multiple genres, in English and French, as well as a large foreign-language offerings, with prices starting at just $3, making it one of the university’s most popular annual events.
A viral promotional video of the book fair garnered 190,000 views on Instagram and Facebook, which led to an unprecedented turnout.
"We are lucky that so many people love the used book fair, including, of course, the students who are excited to discover new treasures," explains Jeanne Bisson, co-lead organizer and retired Concordia staff member. "Volunteering is a great way to give back while promoting sustainability at the same time."
The book fair may be a two-day event, but it requires a year-long effort to orchestrate.
Sandra Spina, BA 90, a member of the Concordia University Pensioners Association (CUPA), coordinated more than 20 CUPA members and friends who sorted and organized almost all of the books for sale.
They met regularly throughout the fall and spring terms. Students also participated in extra sorting sessions.
Stingers men's rugby players unloaded pallets of books during the setup: Ryan Johnston, Thomas Storey, Kyle Shibata, Jack Weller, Daniel Semeniuk, Libor Stefek and Elliott Conyers.
The takedown crew, pictured with books ready for storage: Christoph Michaud, Jaxon Alexander, Johann King, Nicolas Brunetti, Kalan Despa, Joe Gilbert and Kai Fitzgibbon Ockenden.
This year, volunteers unloaded 24 pallets of boxes loaded with books in preparation for the pop-up. Fourteen players from the Concordia Stingers men’s rugby team handled the bulk of the heavy lifting during both the setup and takedown.
“I'm grateful to Concordia for providing major logistical assistance and space to make this annual event the largest of its kind in the city,” says volunteer co-lead Luke Quin, BA 07, senior communications advisor at University Advancement. “I also thank our dozens of student and community volunteers who helped make this year's event our best yet."
The 2026 Concordia EPIC Used Book Fair was made possible thanks to several partners and about 60 volunteers, including the Concordia University Pensioners Association, Distribution Services, Facilities Management, University Advancement, Hospitality Concordia and the Concordia Stingers men’s rugby team.
To learn more about the Concordia Epic Used Book Fair, visit concordia.ca/bookfair.
Retired Advancement coordinator, Ginette Leduc, rings up second-hand books for first-rate students.