The following article was submitted by Therese Horstketter, the Manitowoc Public Library’s Volunteer Coordinator/Adult Services Associate.
Well, here we are again! Finally! Back to the Used Book Sales that we all have been missing!
If you are not familiar with these sales, let me share! We load up the entire Balkansky Community Room—located on MPL’s Second Floor, to your left as you come up the staircase.
We have materials of pretty much every type and age-level available in our library. We used to hold these sales every January and July, for many years. Then, COVID hit and we were forced to discontinue them. Until this week, that is!
Items are priced reasonably, and we offer Stuff-a-Bag option on Sundays for $4.
Apart from Stuff-a-Bag, the pricing is as follows: Adult books are $1. Youth books are 50-cents. DVD’s are $2. Music CDs are $1. Books on CD are $2. We may have magazines for .25, and there may be some special pricing on unique items.
However, please note: NO DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS!!! Because staffing will probably be less than normal and our IT guru is not in on the weekend, we want to streamline the process as much as we can. So, we are going to take ONLY CASH or LOCAL CHECKS! We have an ATM available in the building located on the First Floor near the Main Service Desk should you have a need for it.
This event is a huge undertaking—not just for setting up and packing it up at the end—but also for manning it over the days that the sale is open. We are fortunate to have a great group of volunteers that put their all into making this a well-stocked and well organized sale. We love to see it fall into place—and love to watch the materials head out the door with happily-replenished customers carrying them away.
A couple of things to think about when shopping: first and foremost, your purchase supports the Friends of Manitowoc Public Library, who in turn support library programming. The number one program the Friends support is MPL’s Summer Reading Program, which is a huge undertaking, and by far our most expensive program.
Therese Horstketter
Secondly, you are getting great deals on materials. And they’re yours to keep and share and take on vacation and not worry about losing a library book. You can have some titles stashed-away for extra reading material during the winter for when you don’t want to go out! You could always pick up a book to keep in your car in case you have to wait for someone you are picking up! And let’s not forget that many of the things on sale are nice enough to be given as gifts. My family has received many used books for gifts.
Books are meant to be enjoyed and meant to be shared. After I share books, and get them back, many go into my little library in my front yard. Some of my favorites are mysteries, biographies, and general fiction. Most avid readers can name their favorite genres. At these prices you can afford to try something different and take it home for that occasion when you decide to be adventurous!
Kids and grandkids love books and gifts. Make sure to get a few titles for a small, but definitely appreciated gift.
Now, for the important details! Sale dates and times are as follows:
- Friday, June 24 9 AM-5:30 PM
- Saturday June 25 9 AM-2:30 PM
- Sunday June 26 12-3:30 PM
And, yes! Stuff-a-Bag for $4 will take place Sunday!
One Final Reminder—Cash or Local Check Only!!!
With all the good that comes from this sale—for you and for the Library—we hope to see you there. Maybe even more than once! There are always new finds once things get moved around. So, happy shopping! And happy reading!
