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Sincere Thanks

I’m writing to congratulate the Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library for the success of its annual book sale held on Oct. 13 to 16.

Volunteers have worked hard since 1990 to build the sale to what it is today. The sale was held on the library lawn in its first year, and earned $333. By 1994, the sale had already incorporated tents and grown to earn $7,500! By 2000, the sale earned $17,000 and the Friends needed a larger tent. In 2003, the sale moved to the Town Green and earned $28,000. This year, the sale earned $58,000, which will be used to support the library.

The sale always begins with generous donations, thanks to all who bring their gently used and loved books to the bin at the library and at the volunteer services center. From there, a dedicated team transports them to our sorting locations daily.

The sorters work throughout the year to make sure books are in good condition and sorted by category to make it easier to shop come the fall.

In the weeks leading up to the sale, the tent goes up, volunteers are scheduled to work the sale, and the books get set up on all the tables. This year, there were more than 70,000 books on sale, which is just about the same size as the library’s collection. It takes more than 150 volunteers to make this happen.

The sale is a fun event on the Green that brings our community together, and the funds generated support the library’s many cultural and educational programs, professional development for staff, and materials and equipment for our collection—all available to residents at no charge.

Sincere thanks go to everyone who has helped make the Branford community a better place, book by book.

Karen Jensen, Director

James Blackstone Memorial Library