By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Books were flying off the shelves – well, tables – as the Friends of the Library raised nearly $1,500 at its two-day fall book sale.
The popular annual fund-raiser was Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3 at the Mabel C. Fry Public Library, 1200 Lakeshore.
On Saturday, the library also hosted the opening of the annual Ladies Library Club Christmas Auction.
Offerings featured hardbound and paperback books for adults and children, along with some audio-visual materials.
“It is difficult to say how many items we sold, but we raised close to $1,500 to help the library,” said Sue Kilmer, Friends of the Library secretary and a retired Yukon librarian.
Mabel C. Fry Library Librarian Sara Schieman said the book sale will help her buy a digital graphic novel collection.
“With over 1,500 Marvel and Disney comics, this new collection will be available on Dec. 1,” Schieman said.
The Friends of the Library’s main purpose is to advocate for public libraries and host fundraisers to raise awareness about what the local public library has to offer.
The group presents a used book sale on the first and third Saturday of each month at the “original” library, the “little red brick building” at 510 Elm.
Any funds raised through book sales help purchase books and other library collection resources, according to Kilmer.
The big annual fall book sale previously had been only on Saturday in conjunction with Yukon Parks & Recreation’s Pumpkin Harvest Craft Show next door at the Dale Robertson Center.
The Friends of the Library decided to expand to two days because of the event’s popularity and Saturday people/parking congestion.
Christmas Auction Open
Bidding in the Ladies Library Club’s Annual Christmas Silent Auction began last Saturday and will continue through noon Saturday, Nov. 16. The event features a wide arrays of wreaths, centerpieces, gift baskets, holiday items, and more.
Shoppers are reminded to stop by the circulation desk and receive their identifying number for submitting bids.
Each item will have a suggested beginning bid and a “buy it now” price. Those paying the “buy it now” price are welcome to take their items once payment is received.
The public library has been an important asset to the community since 1905. In the beginning, books began being circulated from local store locations. Since that time, the library has been housed in four locations.
It was 1983 before city or state monies were possible. Thus, fundraising events sponsored by the two support groups remain a popular way for citizens to show interest and assist in the support of a valuable asset to the community.
