Friends of the Library book sale Saturday!

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, May 2018; written by Pat Tully

The Friends of the Ketchikan Public Library is holding a one-day Book Sale in the Library’s large meeting room this Saturday, May 19 [2018] from 10am-5pm.

What goes into preparing a book sale? It all starts with your donation of gently used books and DVDs. Because our community is so generous, the Friends ask that donations be brought to Bear Valley Mini-Storage on Schoenbar Road, unit 620. Just open the door and deliver your donations! Volunteers regularly visit the unit to sort through newly donated items, discarding moldy or severely damaged material and moving the remainder into storage.

For one-day book sales like the one this Saturday, volunteers bring boxes of items from the storage unit to the Library, set up the large meeting room with tables and carts, and put out the donations. These are sorted into children’s books, teen and adult books, and DVDs and other media.

During the sale, volunteers act as cashiers in the lobby, and re-fill the tables and carts as necessary. After the sale they re-box the items that remain, and put them back in storage to await the next sale.

For the Friends’ big October sale at the Plaza, volunteers spend several weeks sorting books into one of several subject categories. Fortunately the Friends have very dedicated volunteers to sort, move, un-box, re-box and sell thousands of books. It is a big job, but it is the major fundraiser for the Friends.

And where does the money go? With the proceeds, the Friends of the Ketchikan Public Library support and enhance Library collections, programs and services. This past year Friends have helped support summer reading program events, the Children’s Community Garden, and National Novel Writing Month activities. In the coming year the Board of the Friends will choose among a number of funding proposals submitted by the Library—from facilities improvements, to equipment, to program and event support.

The Friends of the Ketchikan Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is separate from the Ketchikan Public Library, but works closely with Library staff members. To find out more about becoming a Friend, email kplfriends@kpunet.net, or write to P.O. Box 9633, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

Or, stop by the Library during the Friends Book Sale this Saturday, May 19 between 10am and 5pm. Check out books and DVDs being offered at $1 per item, purchase a Friends tote bag or mug, and talk to the Friends volunteering there. The Friends Book Sale is a great way to re-stock your personal library, find a hidden gem, and explore a new way of engaging with your community!