MONROE, CT — The Friends of the Library Book Sale will offer shelves and carts full of books with subjects ranging from art, business, true crime and entertainment to cooking and the occult. It will also boast a large collection of movies, puzzles and Christmas books.
The sale will be held in the Ehlers Room, on the lower level of Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, 733 Monroe Turnpike, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.
“We’ve got a wide variety of topics for people with a broad range of interests,” said Lorraine Riedel, president of Friends of the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library. “Books make great Christmas gifts.”
Prices for fiction books are $2 and up, mass market paperbacks are four for $1, CDs are two for $1, DVDs are $1 each, audio books are $1, children’s hardcover books are $1 or as marked, children’s paperback books are 50 cents or as marked, games and puzzles as marked, quilt bags are $10, library bags are $5 and note cards are $5.
The collection includes titles for children, teens and adults.
On Tuesday morning, Riedel sorted books with fellow organizers of the event inside the Friends Room of the library. Riedel said a shelf of cake pans will be filled with books for the sale, and more merchandise will be available inside a storage room. There are also carts throughout the building.
All proceeds raised will benefit the library. Friends contributes an average of $20,000 per year to library programs for all ages.
Friends subsidizes the purchase of books, media materials and equipment, and even enabled the library to install new flooring one year. Its contributions allow library patrons free or reduced admission to area museums and attractions, and makes children’s book discussion groups and programming, family concerts and evening events possible.
The library has 53 computer stations, a baby grand piano, kitchen appliances, arts and crafts materials, yoga, food and beverages at its cafe, toys and furnishing in its children’s room, through the Friends of Edith Wheeler Memorial Library’s efforts.
Susan Koneff, a co-chair of the book sale with Linda Loud, said Friends always needs new members. “We’re looking for people who love libraries and want to contribute,” she said.
Membership forms can be picked up at the front desk of the library or downloaded on the library’s website, filled out and mailed with a check or brought to the library. Aside from paying an annual due, members are welcome to volunteer their time for events, come to the meetings and to become a committee member.
Those interested in assisting Friends with its fundraising efforts may leave their name and phone number with a library staff member at the circulation desk, so a member of the Friends can contact them.
