Even with low prices, event raises valuable funds for Levi Heywood
TGN file photo by STEPHEN LANDRY Local residents shop for bargains during the last Friends of Levi Heywood Memorial Library book sale in February at the library in Gardner.
Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer
GARDNER With the semi-annual book sale just two weeks away, the Friends of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library are still accepting gently used books.
“We accept books up until the day before the sale,” said Friends President Sheila Heglin.
The two sales are the only fundraisers for the Friends, bringing in a total of about $5,000 to $6,000 to support the library. The funding goes toward whatever the library needs, whether it’s summer passes families can borrow to visit the aquarium and other attractions at a low price or upgrades to the computer systems.
“This benefits the library, which is important to the city and so many families,” said Ms. Heglin.
Books of all types are accepted daily at the library. DVDs and CDs are also accepted.
Once collected, volunteers clean and sort the books. On the day of the sale, the community room of the library becomes a book shop, with the volumes organized by type, including the always-popular children’s section.
The prices, however, are far cheaper than a bookstore. Hardcover books, both fiction and non-fiction, are priced at $1 or $2, and paperbacks are 50 cents. Children’s books are just 25 cents.
“We always have quite a few books,” said Ms. Heglin, adding they are always good quality.
While sorting the books, library officials are always scanning for volumes that may be worth more than $2 a piece.
For example, someone recently donated a 1909 copy of the “Tale of Two Tailors” by Elbert Hubbard, which was valued online at about $750. That copy was set aside, as are any other copies that are questionable.
Books that don’t sell are donated to charity or nonprofit organizations.
A preview of the books will be held for Friends on Aug. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Memberships and renewals will be available at the door, for those looking to get a look at the selection before everyone else.
Memberships are $5 for students, $7 for an individual and $12 for a family.
For the general public, the sale will be from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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