Friends Big Fall Book Sale offered reading fun for everyone
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: November 07, 2012
For some it was mysteries, while others liked the Better Books. Kids were swarming the tables holding what would soon be their favorites while others moved along the table that held the Silent Auction items, carefully examining books to see if they were bid-worthy.
But everyone at Saturday’s Friends of Blanchard Community Library had one thing in common: a love of books and the search to find that perfect tome - or tomes in the case of most buyers - to take home.
The Big Fall Book Sale drew hundreds of people to buy thousands of books at Blanchard Community Library, where volunteers had joined Friends - who work year-round on the sale events - to set up for the event.
That included Suzi Skutley, a Blanchard Community Library trustee, who noted, “I was there at 7 a.m.,” two hours in advance of the sale, “in the crisp, cool November air.... I’m glad it wasn’t as hot Saturday” as the day following the sale.
Skutley also shopped: “I picked up a book by my favorite poet, a collection of selected poems by Ogden Nash... his own selections, which is special. It’s always nice to get an insight into the writer’s mind. Nash uses poetic license in a major way that I find very delightful.”
Also delightful to Skutley was “I heard afterwards the Friends had a really good sale; I hope that’s true. They put so much work in the sales twice a year; I’m really glad when it comes through for them in a really good way.”
John Nichols found a vintage first edition of “The Penguin Pool Murder” while Mitch Stone was browsing nearby waiting for his own book event later in the day to sign copies of his “The Oaks of Santa Paula” at Best of VC Marketplace.
Amber Grace Wineman of Newbury Park - at 8 years old attending her 14th Friends sale - was saying hello to her “Birthday Buddy” Elaine Hunt, the former longtime FLAIR coordinator and stalwart Friends and library supporter.
Nancy Nasalroad and Carol Hardison were kept busy as book runners and general helpers, while Ellen Ruby was at her usual spot overseeing the Silent Auction.
All hardback books were only 50 cents each and paperbacks 25 cents, while hundreds of “Better Books” - starting at only $1 - were selling fast.
The thousands of books featured in the Friends’ twice-yearly sales are bookstore or estate liquidations, donations from the public, or culled from the library’s shelves. Friends carefully sort the books for the twice a year sales, where they are put out at tables with signs showing the dozens of categories available to make it easier for book lovers to find their favorites - whether for sheer entertainment, education or advice.
Friends of the Library volunteer their time year-round to organize and categorize all donated books, and then both manage and staff their two annual sales, held the first Saturdays of May and November. These sales, together with the Silent Auction of valuable books, raise funds that go entirely to the library’s need for new books, equipment and services donated by the Friends, a legally designated non-profit organization.
Friends are especially proud of the popular Children’s and Teen programs, the Homework Center, the emphasis on computers and the use of the Internet. Friends made possible the “Dream Big, Read!” summer reading program for almost 600 area children. Other examples of Friends’ support and recent gifts are the license and equipment to show movies at the library, and some needed book carts and other equipment.
