Buy a book, support a cause
Libraries are thought of as calm, quiet places. But spend a few minutes talking with Lois Harger, treasurer of the Friends of the Spokane Valley Library, and she is likely to convey that there is much more going on behind the scenes than most realize. She has been preparing for this weekend’s Spokane Valley Library Book Sale since last spring.
Harger and about nine other dedicated volunteers are going to see their hard work pay off at the twice-yearly event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Main Avenue library branch. The sale is the major fundraiser for the locally-based nonprofit organization that supports library programs like twice-monthly movie nights, teen parties, children’s events and staff appreciation snacks.
Harger, who has been part of the committee for about three years, said that preparing for the fundraiser is an ongoing process. As soon as one sale wraps up, volunteers immediately start getting ready for the next one by sorting and boxing the new donations.
Visitors to the sale can expect to see the occasional video or CD in stock, but mostly “lots of books,” according to Harger. For this weekend’s event, “we have so many, it’s amazing to me,” she said. Books will be arranged by subject, and prices range from 25 cents for paperbacks to 50 cents for hardbacks.
Harger hinted that some patrons buy books, read them, and re-donate them for the next sale.
The team behind the sale is small but dedicated, though Harger eagerly pointed out that they are always looking for new people. The Friends of the Spokane Valley Library came to be quickly after Spokane Valley was incorporated and city founders decided to privatize the library. Currently, about 10 people are consistently involved with events.
Though the book sale is their biggest function, Friends of the Library volunteers are involved in other activities throughout the year, and can often be seen moonlighting as “popcorn popper people,” or offering candy and drinks during various teen and children’s events. Helping at the different activities is one of Harger’s favorite parts about the group. Just being around the library is something she values, as she considers it a “very important part of the community.”
Volunteers are encouraged to participate on an ongoing basis with book sorting and sale preparations, but the group has been known to welcome helpers for single events. What it comes down to, according to Harger, is “we really need to keep this going. We mustn’t burn out.”