B.C. man wants homes for thousands of books he soon won't be able to read
CTV
In the 10 years since John William started to lose his vision, he's been finding new ways to enjoy his vast personal library.
In the 10 years since John William started to lose his vision, he's been finding new ways to enjoy his vast personal library.
Right now, that involves glasses and a magnifying glass with bright lights illuminating the pages.
But he says it's time to say goodbye to much of his collection, about 3,500 books.
“Aside from going blind, I've had four spine surgeries and my doctor has warned me on numerous occasions to stop lifting things over five pounds. Well, some of my books weigh five kilos,” he said.
William said many of the books he owns, from a massive tome on the human cell to a rare first edition laying out the history of the Korean War, aren't available in large print or audiobook form. It's part of what's motivating him to sell so many.
“When that book disappears, there aren't any other books that I think are anything like that book. I don't want that to disappear because I die or I go blind,” he said, referring to the book on the Korean War.
“I would like to pass it on to a hopefully a 30- to 40-year-old. And then they will keep it for 20 or 30 years and hopefully pass it on to somebody else. It's an optimistic view, I understand.”