This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
01/24/2023 11:12 AMAfter a successful first run at a rare and vintage book sale, the Friends of the Guilford Free Library (FGFL) is sponsoring its second annual sale on Friday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to organizers, the one-day sale will offer unique and vintage books, book sets, and ephemera, all in excellent condition and at affordable prices.
The sale will feature vintage books for adults and children from the 1800s to 1945, classic post-1945 reprinted editions, modern library editions, multi-volume sets of books, ephemera such as newspapers, magazines, and sheet music, as well as theatre and opera programs, according to organizers.
FGFL member Hesch Sommer said the organization is excited about this year’s sale. Last year was the first time the FGFL sponsored a similar sale, and the group hopes to provide an even wider array of items.
“This is a unique event in that it is focused on vintage books, which are the oldest books that are donated to the library,” Sommer said.
The vintage books on offer have been organized into three subcategories: books from the 19th century to 1915, books from 1915 to 1945, and children’s.
“For the children’s books, we are looking at books that have a long history in our hearts. Such as early editions of Alice in Wonderland, for example, any of those timeless classics that someone might want to but to share with their grandchildren,” Sommer said.
The sale will also include special editions of many works and sets of classic literature that are collector’s items.
“We get quite a variety of donations. I don’t think a week goes by when we’re not looking through at least 30 to 40 books that have been donated that specifically come under this umbrella of vintage books,” said Sommer. “The Friends group have a very strong policy about the quality of the books that we are going to put in any sale and particularly the vintage sale. We really want people to come and explore books that they would enjoy purchasing at a reasonable price.”
According to Sommer, the vintage sale and other sponsored events are critical funding mechanisms for the library and help maintain its collection and programming.
“The Friends are a wonderful group of volunteers of all ages who simply want to support the library. Like any agency in town, which the library is, there’s only so much money that can come out of the budget. And so the friends have for many, many years taken on this duty to raise additional funds so that the library can not only purchase more books but be able to provide all sorts of services that sustain the community. Of all of the institutions in a community, their library can truly make a difference. One of the things we saw during the intense period of the pandemic was that the library continued to figure out ways to provide resources for people. And the Guilford Library truly is a remarkable community institution. The librarians are wonderfully knowledgeable and helpful people, and Rob McCoole [Guilford Free Library Director] constantly wants to foster community more community interaction with library resources.”
There will also be a wide choice of paper ephemera, including newspapers, magazines, arts programs, and maps.
“What we try to do is to recreate the old-fashioned used bookstore, where folks can wander around the tables and hold a book in their hands. And to connect not only with their past…but for that real love of books.,” said Sommer. “The beauty of this sale is that we love seeing members of the community come and explore, and we get great joy when we see someone’s face light up when they find that special book or item.”
McCoole said the event is a rare opportunity for residents to find that hidden gem.
“Unlike the larger fall book sale that has something for everyone, the much smaller and much more specific vintage sale is great for book lovers and collectors who might be interested in first editions of classics and other rare finds,” McCoole said.
Organizers recommend patrons bring a reusable bag or buy one for $1 from the FGFL on the day of the event.
For more information, call the library at 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org