They’ve done it again! After another year long effort - over 65,000 books, DVDs, CDs, videos and more have been collected and will be offered for sale at the 6th Annual Ohio’s Largest Public Library Book Sale beginning at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct, 18, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church (Profile), 140 West River Road, N. in Elyria, behind the IHOP Restaurant (Profile).
The Friends of the Elyria Public Library System (Website | Profile) and the Friends of the Keystone - LaGrange Library (Profile) take on this gargantuan project to support the needs of the Elyria Public Library System.
“As everyone knows, the libraries of Ohio are in need of our support this year more than ever,” says Sandra Zaborniak, president of the Elyria Friends and co-chair of the Book Sale Committee.
The state budget passed by lawmakers on July 13, reduced the Public Library Fund by approximately $84 million (11%) over two years in the 2010-2011 budget. Unfortunately, due to lower revenues, funding had already been reduced by 20%, so in total, public library budgets were reduced 31% in the state's spending plan for 2010-11.
The Elyria Public Library System has lost $550,000 in 2009 and will lose another $700,000 in 2010. On top of that there is also the possibility of a 10% reduction in the monies to be received from the county due to the re-assessments of property valuation.
In the past five years the sale has grossed over $100,000. “The main purpose of a Friends’ organization is to support their library through its fundraising efforts,” said Zaborniak. “The money we raise is used by the library to bring special programming to its patrons like authors and speakers, as well as to purchase new computers and other equipment so the library can continue to offer its great service.”
“Yes, it’s a huge, year-round job, but people come by the hundreds to support us,” says Linda Chapin, president of the Keystone Friends and also co-chair of the Book Sale Committee. “It’s hard to believe that people actually start lining up about two hours before the sale opens. They have stood in line during all kinds of weather with their own crates, boxes and bags to be the first to get the books they want!”
“All items in the sale are new this year. Nothing is left over from the year before,” says Zaborniak. “About 85% of the items are from private donations, with about 15% coming from Library withdrawals. There’s truly something for everyone.”
In fact, the donations were so overwhelming this year, the Friends had to stop accepting donations at the end of May. “We just couldn’t take anymore,” said Chapin. “We’ll let everyone know when the collecting will begin again.”
The book sale is a great place to start your holiday shopping, where else can you purchase gifts for a dollar or less? VHS tapes will be sold for 5 for a $1, children’s and young adult books are $.50 an inch. During the last day of the sale, books will go for $5 for an old fashioned brown-paper grocery bag!
Last year’s sale raised nearly $20,000. “This year we’re hoping to go way past that amount to help our Library. We do hope everyone will come out to support us” says Chapin.
The Book Sale schedule is:
- Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Admission $5 single; $10 family
- Friday & Saturday, Oct. 16 & 17 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Free Admission
- Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1 - 4 p.m., Free Admission, General sale - $5 a bag
Scanners are permitted during the sale and free Wi-Fi is available from the West River Library across the street from the sale. To volunteer at the Book Sale or for additional information, call (440) 323-8698 or email dpillivant@elyrialibrary.org.
