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Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

4 min read

By MELISSA SCHNEIDER

mschneider@breezenewspapers.com

Held twice a year to help raise funds for its local efforts, the Friends of the Cape Coral Library will host its next three-day book sale from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 17 to 19, at the Cape Coral Public Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, off of Mohawk Parkway. Shoppers can expect to peruse more than 10,000 books and other items that are up for grabs during that time, with most costing $2 or less.

Hours to the three-day book sale are as follows: Thursday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 5:30 (please note: this is a member’s-only preview for Friends members. Anyone who’d like to join can do so at the door, for $15 a year for the family); Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Paula Novander, longtime member of the Friends of the Library board, shares her excitement for the upcoming three-day sale. “We have them twice a year – the other one is in April – and they are always so much fun. We’ve had people call them parties, actually, with music playing, everyone having a great time, after-Halloween candy. This is the largest book sale in Lee County, with more than 10,000 books. But along with a wonderful selection of books, there will also be hundreds of CDs, Blu-rays, lots of kids’ items, maybe some puzzles, a ton of dictionaries – even those Japanese action-adventure books the kids love so much nowadays.”

Held in the library’s large meeting room, making this a rain-or-shine event, both the tops and bottoms of the tables will be covered with books and literature, all well organized and separated according to subject.

“My husband Bob is the book sale coordinator, and he spends lots of time sorting and organizing all of the items, to ensure shoppers can easily find the subject that they’re looking for. Every table is covered, with boxes underneath,” Novander said. “We have so many different subjects – even some new releases. The military history books are one of the first subjects to go. There are some beautiful art coffee table books that the library is releasing to us, a lot on gardening, cooking, crafting, there’s something for everyone.”

Some items at the sale are donated from the library, but most are from private donations. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the sale, feel free to bring them into the library at any time, or, if there are several boxes, let Paula know and a member can pick them up for you. Call 239-349-2572. As the donation is to a non-profit group, it is tax deductible, and those who wish may receive a tax-deductible receipt upon making the donation.

“Usually raising about $8,000 to $9,000 a sale, all funds raised from the sale goes right back to the library,”Novander said. “Our Friends of the Library group takes care of things the county doesn’t cover. We recently spent over $20,000 in audio and video equipment upgrades a couple years ago, and we are always helping with special programs, special events for the kids, our art gallery, gifts for the chess club, upkeep of the butterfly garden that is maintained by the garden club. We host many classes and events, such as yoga and tai chi classes. This library is one of the best things about this city. There is always something taking place here.”

One of the next projects Novander expects the Friends group will dive into is updating the furniture in the children’s area.

To become a part of the Friends group, visit CapeFriends.org or find the group on Facebook by searching “Friends of the Cape Coral Library.”