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09/05/2017 06:30 PMThe annual Friends of the Guilford Free Library Book Sale, returning to town Friday through Sunday, Sept. 22 to 24, promises thousands of books from all genres, entertainment goods, and bake sale items.
Thousands of books, ranging from art and autobiographies to fiction and film, will be up for sale this year. Books will be displayed across the library, with tents for fiction and entertainment in front, a tent for non-fiction in the back, children’s books in the Book House off the parking lot, and other genres spread across the library.
The sale, while enormously popular, would not be possible without the hard work of the Friends of the Guilford Library. Every Thursday, all year long, the friends gather to sort through the numerous books donated each year to categorize them, price them, and prep them for sale. Friends President Shelley Brewer said the library received a historic number of donated books this year.
“It is absolutely overwhelming,” she said. “One of the interesting things this year is there were estates from Old Quarry and some professors from Yale and so we have exceptional collections of poetry, art, science, and architecture—more than usual.”
Brewer said the fiction section is always a big hit, but noted that the library has received a large number of non-fiction books this year as well as numerous entertainment items, a large donation of books on religion and culture, ephemera like sheet music and art prints, and cookbooks. Brewer also said the library received a large collection of vintage wine—books, not bottles.
“Being in such an eclectic Guilford community, the tastes and the donations can be pretty spectacular,” said Friend Linda Brouard.
Most books go from anywhere between $1 to $4 and the last day of the sale brings a half price discount. In the last hour of the final day of the sale, teachers are also welcome to come and pick up books at no cost. The notable exception to the standard price scale is the vintage collection. A regular genre at the sale, this year the Friends group says the collection of vintage books go above and beyond.
The offering includes nearly 500 texts, with vintage books dating back centuries up to the classic finding renewed popularity, George Orwell’s 1984. Friend Valerie Parkinson said the library received donations of vintage books with high values.
“I was going through my bags of books at home and I picked up a trilogy and the only listing was out of a bookstore in Boston for $1,500 each,” she said. “So that is why we are taking time with this, because it won’t sell for $1,500 each, but even if those sold for $300 for the three, that is $300 for the library, so we are trying to be careful with our resources and what is being gifted to us.”
Even with the value, Parkinson said many of the books will still be on the table at the sale, and for those books of great value, she said the library is looking to cultivate a relationship with collectors. While some of these books may be quite old, Parkinson said their message has not diminished with age.
“These are things not to be lost, but it is also a way to go into the future,” she said.
The books are always a big draw, but another high point of the event is the bake sale. Held on Saturday, Sept. 23, the Friends members call on their nearly 700 members to donate baked goods, which sell at a rapid pace. Library Director Sandy Ruoff said the bake sale, which brings in $1,500 on its own, is always a nice addition to the event.
“The money is great” she said, noting the benefits go beyond the money. “It adds a special layer to the book sale...It is fun to see everyone rush in.”
The book sale has grown immensely since its first year when it brought in $500, according to Ruoff. Now the sale brings in nearly $40,000, all of which goes right back to the library. Ruoff said that profit is now even more critical.
“We have lost $10,000 in state aid to the library,” she said, speaking to the state budget crisis. “It [the sale] is always important, but this year it is more important than ever.”
Books not sold at the sale are sold in bulk or donated. Volunteers try to give most of the children’s books to programs like Read to Grow, but are also looking for other organizations that might be willing to come collect books after the sale.
In addition, the Friends group is looking for volunteers who might be willing to help with sorting, but mainly those individuals who might be open to helping with event set up and working on the days of the sale. For those looking just to attend, Brouard said there is only one thing you need to know: “Come.”
The annual Friends of the Guilford Free Library Book Sale will be held Friday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about the sale or to volunteer for the event or with the Friends of the Guilford Free Library, visit www.guilfordfreelibrary.org or call the library at 203-453-8282.