Friends of Cape Coral Library set to kick off annual book sale
The Lee County Library System has proved to be an invaluable source for people looking to entertain themselves without putting a strain on their pocketbooks during these rough economic times.
The Friends of Libraries groups do their part to make certain the various library branches have everything they need to continue their success.
The Friends of the Cape Coral Library is holding its annual book sale this weekend to help support the local branch.
Proceeds from the sale go toward funding a reading room, butterfly garden and art galleries, sponsoring groups at the library like a chess club, and purchasing new bookshelves, among others.
“This is our major fund-raiser,” said Friends member Bob Novander.
Along with a number of other members, Novander was busy Wednesday unloading all the books for the sale.
“Since there’s been talk of cutbacks, this is even more important,” h said.
With the county facing a significant budgetary shortfall next year, there has been talk of reducing library hours and cutting positions.
It is hoped that the book sales and other fund-raising methods used by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library will help mitigate some of the downtrodden circumstances by providing financial aid.
Novander said all the items for sale are donated by citizens in the Cape and Fort Myers.
The sale items themselves represent a true cross section of multi-media. Fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs, videotapes, CDs and children’s books are all available for purchase at a bargain.
Hardback books start at $2, paperbacks at 75 cents, and trade paperbacks at $1.
The three-day sale starts today, with an preview exclusively for Friends members.
The sale then opens up to the public Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friends president Pam Macabio said library usage is “way up” this year, with circulation already topping one million items.
With the library system facing more strain then ever, it is as important as ever to help out financially.
“With the recession, people are coming more and more to the library,” Macabio said.
For more information on the Friends of the Cape Coral Library, visit the Web site at: www.capefriends.org