MINOT — The Friends of the Minot Public Library is hosting a book sale at the Minot Public Library.
Janet Anderson, the director of the library, said the book sales have been going on most likely for more than 20 years. “I’ve been with the library ten years, and we’ve been doing it since then,” she said.
Anderson said the Friends of the Library often help with physical needs within the library itself, but their greatest assistance is the book sales. “They organize these book sales. It’s semi-regular, there’s usually one big Fall one and one Spring one. All the money that they make goes to their group, which then they will grant to us as we have the need.”
This week being Read Across America Week, the Friends of the Library had another special gift for the library. “They donated money to us, so that we could buy supplies and books to give away to 200 children,” said Anderson.
All 200 of the gift bags were claimed as of March 2.
Anderson also explained that they were partnering with the school system every day with videos for Read Across America Week. “Every day this week, on our Facebook page, there’s at least two videos. So yesterday was Travis Gerjets, from Prairie Sky Breads, reading a Dr. Suess book, and then later we have one of him showing how to make a craft based on another Dr. Suess book. I’m excited too, I never know what it’s going to be,” she said.
The book sale, according to Anderson, is a joint effort by the Minot Public Library as well as the Friends of the Minot Public Library. “All the materials are housed here, and, for instance, we have the connections with media and with social media, and so we do all of that. They are the ones who help us sort through books, put the books on the shelves, and then actually man the table. We’re really lucky that we have so many great members of the group and then also the community just donates in droves.”
Most of the books in the sale are from donations. “So people just do their spring cleaning, and they bring us books. So we have a garage full of books,” Anderson explained. Other items such as magazines, audio books, and board games have also been donated.
The book sale has gone from a pricing system to a free will offering in the last few years. “We don’t charge per book or per item, you take what you want and pay what you can. We’ve actually made more money this way. It’s kind of cool, because it helps for those who maybe can’t afford as much as another person could, they can still leave with an armful of books. Whereas, somebody else who may just get a couple books, will put in more money,” Anderson said.
Sharon Johnson, the president of the Friends of the Library, shared her thoughts, “We do everything we can to promote the library. We’re always here to help. I like being involved, I’ve always been involved in libraries. Even when I was in high school, I was involved in the school library. In California, I guess every place I’ve lived I’ve been involved.”
Johnson also explained the need for more members, “We are always looking for members. We don’t require a lot of effort on the part of [the members], so it’s a nice thing for people to get involved.”
To become a member requires a simple fee of $10 a year or $100 for a lifetime. “You get some special perks, like, yesterday, we had a pre-sale that was for members only,” said Anderson.
Anderson also said that there are more than 100 members and 20 active members.
Elizabeth Smetana, the Friends of the Library’s newest board member, said, “My kids were little, 8 and 10 years old, when we used to come down here and now my son’s 40.”
“We’ve been waiting here literally for half an hour until this opens. I like getting cookbooks, because I’m getting married,” said Genevieve Olsen.
“I think it’s so cool to find older books, because, you know, with older books they’re kind of getting out of style, so I like to collect older books. The free will offering is great, too.”
The book sale in the Hidden Treasures room of library and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
More information can be found on the Minot Public Library’s website or call 701-852-1045.
