Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time — even the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library.
For almost 10 years the Friends of the NA-FC Library have been hosting book sales two Saturdays a month. During that time, they have raised $150,000 in book sales and other fundraisers — funds that eventually go back to the library. The sales also provide books, on virtually every subject, at cheap prices to Southern Indiana residents.
“The prices are great,” said Kathy Eickmann, manager of the book sale. “Having it twice a month, people know when they are coming. We always try to have a lot of new stuff that people will be interested in.”
Many of the books are donated, while others are from the library’s old stock. No matter how they arrive, they are always priced to sell. This morning, the group held its annual Christmas book sale in the library’s annex building. Holiday books, music and movies were featured. Prices were $1 for hardbacks and videos; 50 cents for paperbacks and CDs; 25 cents for cassette tapes; 10 cents for magazines; and 5 cents for vinyl records.
“I think a lot of people like to come out to see what is available,” Eickmann said. And a lot of people come. Eickmann said more than 200 shoppers usually attend the book sales which last four hours.
Library Director Steve Day said the Friends group is made up of several “dedicated” people.
“The book sales have been very successful,” Day said. “It’s a great deal for everybody. They work very hard and help fill holes that we have. They are vitally important.”
The Friends group, all members are volunteers, paid for the lighting and landscaping in front of the library. Day said the group always funds the Summer Reading Program each year and pays for other programming throughout the year. The Friends also helped pay for the new job search center, and the Bookmobile, which is currently not in operation due to funding shortfalls.
“Every penny counts,” Day said. “We lost money this year and we still don’t know what is going to happen next year.”
The group recently purchased book drop bins which were placed next to the annex building where people can drop off donations 24 hours a day.
As book sale manager Eickmann, not only has to organize sales two Saturdays a month, but also must sort through the thousands of books that are donated.
“I love doing it,” she said. “Things are hard for the library right now, and we just try to help any way we can.”
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Staff photo by Jerod Clapp
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HELPING HAND: Friends group has provided funds for NA-FC Library
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