Why buy books from the library book sale?

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by DAK

As you know I am a huge proponent for the public library system.  Where else can get books, magazines, DVD’s, audio books, e-books, free magazines, music downloads, and homework help all for free?  There is no better value that I can think of.  Your tax dollars pay for the public libraries so you might as well get your money’s worth.  This week our public library, the same one that I work, is having a book sale.  These book sales are a huge draw.  With the monies we generate from the sale, we are able to offer programming to children and adults.  Examples of programming include public speakers, computer classes, concerts, story times and crafts, out-reach programs, support for the Library of the Blind, and so much more-all for free.   The people in this small mid-Michigan town are very generous with their donations; last year alone they donated over 70,000 items. So when the book sale comes along there is a long line into the library.  Everyone has paper/plastic bags with them just waiting to fill them up.  The volunteers organize all the sale items for easy shopping and the prices are crazy.  Children’s books are just $1.00 per stacked inch; paper backs are just .50 cents and whatever you can fill your shopping bag with will only cost you $5.00!

I was talking to one of the volunteers the other day and she revealed that our library also sells books on-line. She reported sales of $14,000 last year all from books being donated to the library and the library turning around and selling them on Amazon or EBay.  The library has such a huge on-line presence that it requires six volunteers to post the items for sale, wrap the items when sold, and ship the items to the purchaser.  I love that we can profit from someone’s donation, that’s why they donated it in the first place- they wanted the library to either sell it at the book sale or on-line, or place it in the library collection. Very few items are placed in the library collection, mostly because they are used or outdated.  So selling them only makes sense. 

Whenever I go to the book sale I pick up a few paperbacks for our vacations.  I read them and leave them– usually in the hotel room for the next guest.  I purchase sale paperbacks because it’s cheap, I don’t care if they get ruined by sand and water, and I don’t have to pack them to bring them home.  I call that a bargain 🙂

 Almost ready to open the doors to the public!

  
 

 The Library Book Nook sells donated items all year round.

  Another reason I am talking about book sales today is because on Monday I made a Tomato Zucchini Tart with Mozzarella and Basil.  I found the recipe in the Best of Cooking Light cookbook that I purchased at the Library Book Nook last year for a whopping $1.50.  The Book Nook is open all year to the public and it houses recently donated items. Most items donated are directed to the Book Nook and then shifted to the book sale at the end of the year.  Not only did I help the library by purchasing this book, but I also got a great cookbook that I use often!  This week I also made a Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze from the same cookbook. (I should have written a post on “What to make with your garden Zucchini?”)- maybe I will!

Best of Cooking Light is on sale at Amazon for $1.72 right now, just click here! 

This is prior to baking.  I have a pizza stone from a home party I went to years ago and I use it often- to warm breads and to bake pizza.  You can get the same pizza stone here.
Yummy! Looks just like the picture 🙂

 

It was delicious and I highly recommend this recipe for a quick meatless meal.

Here is a website, titled Book Sale Finder,  that will help you locate libraries in your area that are having a book sale.


Hope your week is going well.  I’ll check back on Friday with another blog highlight!  See you then friends!

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DAK

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