Friends of South Coastal Library to hold annual book sale

Whether they’re looking for a great summer read or a fun children’s story, book lovers will want to check out the Friends of South Coastal Library’s book sale next week.

“We have paperbacks, hardbacks… We have different categories — children’s, reference some history books,” said Lois Rubinsohn, a board member of the Friends group. “We have CDs, DVDs, mystery nonfiction, fiction… oftentimes, large-print paperback books, too. Surprisingly, they go rather rapidly when we do get them.”

Rubinsohn said that the Friends’ sale usually has a couple thousand books available for purchase that have been donated by various members of the community.

“Anyone in the community can take books over and leave them at the desk. They’re taken in by one of the staff members. She reviews them, sorts them, and we put them in the shed on the property and then set them up to sell,” she said. “We’ve been fortunate that people have been donating books.”

The book sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 18. Items in the sale, including books, CDs and movies, will all cost $2 or less.

“It’s sorted rather nicely,” said Rubinsohn of the selection. “Anything we have for children goes fast. That table usually clears out rather rapidly. We rarely have any of those books leftover. We always have a selection that is suitable to teenagers, as well.”

Rubinsohn said anyone in the community is welcome to become a Friend, through a simply monetary donation.

“A Friend is anyone in the community who would like to be supportive of the library and give any type of donation,” she explained. “Anyone who wants to be a friend can be a friend. That’s why that library is so successful. If someone can give $5 or $5,000 — any little bit helps. The vast majority people in this community are friends. And if you’re not you should be — become a friend. Friends lend a hand, friends help out. Friends are there when you need them, so we have plenty of friends.”

Rubinsohn said that the Friends group provides monetary support to the South Coastal Library wherever it is needed.

“Usually it’s to provide for a new program, such as books, or to enhance programs that are in place, in the library. We do what’s called a ‘wish list’ from the director herself, and whatever needs they may have in and beyond what the County is going to provide, and anything extra,” she said. “We will subsidize that and contribute to that, to give back to the community.”

Rubinsohn emphasized that public libraries are a necessity and that all members of the community should lend what support they can.

“People in this community are very fortunate to have the South Coastal Library that they can use. That it’s there for them. I think anyone who lives here has been very fortunate to have something like that institution,” she said. “It’s an integral part of the community — a very important place to be, and we are very fortunate in this time to have a place like that.

“They’re special and very important to the community. You can travel the world, get any bit of information, find any recipe. It’s a wonderful place to be and a wonderful resource and not just for us. When I have company, I take my friends and family from out of town to the library. The folks are wowed by it. They have so much to offer.”

She added that she hoped all people in the community, young and old, will take some time and visit the book sale, to show their support of the South Coastal Library, and become a Friend, too.

“We hope that it’s successful and that we do like we did it February. It was a wonderful success — we did all but a sell out. That’s a good thing. We’re hoping that we will have a sellout again and that people will come out and support the event,” said Rubinsohn. “You should become a friend of South Coastal Library and lend a hand if you can. Every little bit helps.”