Cape library book sale raises funds, lowers surplus

Those looking for some summer reading materials for cheap might do well to stop by the Cape Girardeau Public Library today or Saturday, when the library holds its second annual spring book sale.

The sale is sponsored by The Friends of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, a not-for-profit community group that helps fund needs that can't be taken care of in the library budget. The Friends have sponsored a fall book sale in September for years but only started the spring book sale in 2004.

The reason: Too many books.

"We collect books all year long and we just don't have the storage room for all the books we get anymore," said head librarian Betty Martin. "So the Friends board said let's try a spring book sale. Summer vacations are coming up, and people need something to read while they're sitting on the beach."

Last year's spring sale was a great success, raising about $2,500 for the library, said Martin. The well-established fall book sale raised about $3,000, she said.

Books, magazines, videos

Books for the sale are supplied through donations by private individuals and through the library clearing out its own supplies. Hardback titles cost one dollar while paperbacks are only 50 cents. But books aren't the only things for sale.

Magazines are available for 25 cents and videos can be purchased for only $2. This year the library is selling videos like "JFK," "Braveheart," "American Graffiti" and "Home Alone."

The money raised from the sales have allowed the library to purchase items like furniture and computers for public Internet access, said Martin.

Members of the Friends get the best picks in a pre-sale Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. Those who want to join the organization can show up before that sale and join for $15. The sale then runs Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The biggest genre in this year's sale is the children's books, which are by far the most popular each year. But the sale also features several sets of encyclopedias for children and adults, some as recent as 2002.

Friday nights are the busiest time, so the pickings won't be quite as good for those who wait until Saturday, said Martin.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

What: Friends of the Cape Girardeau Library Spring Book Sale

When: Friday 6-8 p.m. (pre-sale for Friends members at 5 p.m.)

Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark

Info: 334-5279