The third week of October is National Friends of the Library Week and this year’s main event is the Annual Used Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The sale location is the basement meeting room of the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams.
The dates of the book sale for the public will be Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1-5 p.m., Monday from noon to 8:30 p.m., and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Prices are 50 cents for paperbacks and children’s books and $1 for hardbacks and videos. The tables will be filled as much as possible, but because of the large number of books this year, more books will be added each day.
The “early bird” shopping day for just Friends of the Library members will be Saturday, Oct. 20, from 1-5 p.m., with refreshments available during shopping hours. This is a great opportunity to get a preview and join an organization to benefit the library, sponsors said. Friends memberships are $10 per person or $20 per family. Registration forms and information may be obtained at the circulation desk.
In order to process items for the sale, donations will be temporarily stopped from Oct. 11-25. Donations will gladly be accepted after the book sale.
The book sale is the biggest Friends fundraiser of the year and is a time when members’ annual dues will need to be renewed. Friends of the Library volunteers who would like to help sort books or work at the book sale or may sign up at the circulation desk.
A few events that the Friends sponsored in 2011-2012 were the celebration of National Library Week, purchased new flower pots and plants for the library, funded Dan Dan the Magic Man, Zoo Boo, Holiday Parade, and opening the Friends Book Store of gently used books to purchase. The Friends officers and members are looking forward to an exciting year and encourage patrons interested in the library to join. The Friends of the Library meets the first Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Great Bend Public Library, September through May. Summer meeting dates will be announced.