Book sale is key for Friends’ success

The Friends of the Cranbury Public Library held third monthly sale on Saturday

By: Lacey Korevec
   The Friends of the Cranbury Public Library wants no book go to waste.
   That’s why the group has begun holding monthly book sales to encourage community members to donate and purchase used books and pass on the stories they’ve read to new readers.
   On Saturday, the organization, which raises money to support the Cranbury Public Library, held its third sale, asking only $1 for hardcover books and 50 cents for paperbacks.
   Residents of all ages took advantage of the event, buying cookbooks, books on gardening, books by famous authors including Nicholas Sparks, Janet Evanovich and Dr. Seuss, biographies, travel books, teen books and more.
   Friends President Jean Golisano said that with the wide variety of books for sale, there was something for every reader.
   "It was a steady stream of people, and we did very well," she said. "We moved a lot of books and that’s the whole idea — to get people to come and purchase books that other people have donated. People look forward to it."
   Until April, the Friends sold only donated books in the Gambino Room, every day during library hours, and at Cranbury Day, where it made most of its sales. Though the Friends will still offer those services, the group was motivated to hold monthly sales as well because of its steady flow of donated books and its lack of space to store them. The idea was to increase the flow of gently used books coming in and out of the library, Ms. Golisano said.
   All of the money from donated book sales goes back to the library to help fund programs and more, Ms. Golisano said.
   "The Friends really support the library, so this is just another way that we raise funds, by having book sales," she said.
   But the sales aren’t just about raising money, she said. They’re also about providing a service to the community and sharing a love of reading.
   "We all love books and this is a community service," she said. "Rather than people just throwing books out, it gives other people a chance to read the same book."
   And best of all, the Friends members who run the sales have a good time doing it, Ms. Golisano said.
   "We enjoy doing the sorting," she said. "And we do get some really nice books and I think people really look forward to it. Really, where can you get a book for $1 or 50 cents?"
   The sales are held on the first Saturday of every month from 10 to 1 p.m. in the Gambino Room of the Cranbury Public Library.
   To donate books, drop them off at the front desk of the Cranbury Public Library during library hours. The library’s summer hours, which are in effect now through Labor Day, are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.