Potter Mania
Library prepared for 'Harry Potter' crush
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Dormann Library Director Carol Berry gathers the library's first five copies of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' for safekeeping Friday. Another five were to arrive later in the day, and Berry planned to store them in 'a secure environment' prior to their release Saturday.

BATH - Dormann Library Director Carol Berry was taking no chances when it came to the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and climactic novel in the seven-book series.

Berry ordered 10 copies of the novel and was certain local Harry Potter fans would snatch them up quickly when the library opened at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"They'll be flying off the shelves," said Berry, who ordered her copies directly from Scholastic, the publishing house that distributes Harry Potter novels in the U.S. market.

Dormann staff members also hosted special activities in advance of Saturday's formal release of the novel. Area children gathered at the library Friday afternoon to participate in Potter-themed activities, including a game of Quidditch, raffle drawings and a potions class that featured slime production.

Security was tight at the library, where five copies of the novels had already arrived Thursday and the rest were due Friday afternoon.

In accordance with a contract Berry was required to sign with Scholastic, the novels were held in a secure location through the day.

Berry noted her agreement with the publishing company allowed for severe legal consequences in the event any copy of the novel was released before the July 21 on-display date.

She added this was the first time she purchased Potter books directly from Scholastic.

"I wanted to get them in a timely manner," she said. "I knew people were highly anticipating this book, so we wanted to be ready."