I think that Ken Burns should make a documentary about the contributions of libraries to civilization, and particularly, to American civilization. Public libraries are right up there with baseball, jazz, the national parks – and even the Roosevelts – as great institutions that have shaped who we are as individuals and as a people. Until such a documentary is made, we will have to be content with the good fortune that most public libraries have auxiliary organizations called Friends of the Library that promote, maintain, sustain, and support them.
October 19-25, 2014 is National Friends of Libraries Week. If a book has ever touched your heart or mind, if you believe in opportunity and literacy for all, or if you think that libraries are one of our most important institutions, become a Friend.
For 41 years, the Friends of the Kent County Library have been doing what friends do best: graciously giving their time, talent, energy, and resources to ensure that the entire community has access to a first-rate library system.
They do this because they are book lovers, and book lovers all over the world fervently believe that if only people would read books that touch their hearts and intellect, all would be right with the world.
Every fall and spring, the Friends hold book sales in the Chestertown Library. Each sale brings about $7,000 to the Friends. The Friends bring in another $3,000 annually from hallway book sales. Through memberships, donations, and parties, the Friends bring in thousands more, and over the years their efforts have bought things ranging from the Cat in the Hat’s hat to a series of lectures on Shakespeare’s plays. They have purchased computers, bookshelves, landscaping, kitchen equipment, air conditioning, carpeting, furniture, and of course, books. Since 1973 the Friends have donated more than $500,000 to the Kent County Library.
Recently, two of the library’s best Friends, MaryCeleste Alexander and Cynthia Saunders, walked me through the ongoing process of the semi-annual book sales. The cycle goes like this: Throughout the year, Kent County residents donate books, audiotapes, and movies that they no longer want. Library staff members place the donations on carts and give tax exempt letters to those who donate.
Wanda Sherriff is the Friends of the Library sorter of books. She processes them and does the first triage. She places moldy, out-of date, and bug-infested books in boxes which are carted off to Creafil Fibers (a business in the Worton Business Park that repurposes paper and fiber).
Then she and several volunteers who do not have dust allergies conduct work days when they dust and sort the remaining books. Some are placed on shelves for the Hallway Book Sale. Four or five volunteers from the Friends spend a day or two every month putting the donated books in sealed boxes which they label by category, such as fiction, poetry, self-help, and so on. Volunteers with strong backs take the boxes to two storage units located on land donated by Geno’s. They prepare about 700 boxes of books for each sale.
Sandy Waugh is a Friend who organizes “specials.” Really special donations go to Harry Lane, who researches the book and decides on a price. Sometimes he sells books on eBay. A History of the Polish Airforce recently fetched $50.00.
A few days before the sale, Men-On-The-Move help move books from the storage sheds back to the library. It takes 20 volunteers a whole day to set the books up on tables in the Library meeting room and another day to put up the signage.
The Thursday evening before the sale is Members’ Night, when members of the Friends of the Library can purchase books. You can join the Friends for $10 on Members’ Night. Volunteers manage the sale all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is $5 a box day. (Bring your own box!).
After the sale, the efforts of the Friends to deliver books into the hands of people who might like them are not over. Friends sort the leftover books and distribute them to the Food Pantry, to various youth groups, to the Carter Center (for young lady miscreants), and to the Kent County Detention Center (only paperbacks and no bodice rippers!). Some leftover books have been sent to Afghanistan. Any remaining leftover books are trucked over to B.I.G. (Books For International Goodwill) in Annapolis. Run by Rotary Clubs, B.I.G. donates thousands of books to people all over the world.
The Friends of the Library Book Sale is a labor of love. It raises money that buys necessities for the library, and it also puts books into the hands of hundreds of people whose lives may be enriched or changed by the writing between the covers.
The Book Sale has outgrown the library. It needs a new home. The library staff is too busy to deal with the continuous donations and the meeting room is too small for the crowds of people who attend. If you know of a bigger venue, the Friends want to hear from you!
The final cut-off date for donations this fall is October 18. Donations for the spring book sale will begin December 1. Members Night for the fall book sale will be Thursday, November 6 at 5:30 and the sale will be open to the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 7-9 until 3:00 pm.
So… go to the book sale. You just might find another copy of the History of the Polish Airforce.
Barbara in den Bosch says
Great article, Wendy. Thanks.