Book Faire ends for another season

October marks the end of the Friends of the Sechelt Library’s 2019 Book Faire season.

Seven years ago the Friends experimented with the idea of a book sale that has now evolved into an essential service in Sechelt. In the past seven years the Friends have donated over $100,000 to the chief librarian for programs and materials that are not in her taxpayer-supported operating budget.

These have included sloping shelves to make it easier for our patrons to view the lower shelves; the two new check-out machines; the spring-loaded book return in the lobby, which makes things easier for the staff; DVDs, video and digital cameras; new chairs; Daisy readers for the visually impaired; resources for children, teen and adult programs; and on and on. 

This season has been a very successful one. Aside from the money raised at the sales themselves, the Friends received a cheque for $1,025 from the Royal Bank for the volunteering done by their employees. They also received an anonymous donation of $5,000 for the Dementia Caregiver Project, which chief librarian Elle Archibald is in the process of developing. 

The Sunshine Coast community is addicted to books. Many people only feel secure if they have a pile of books they want to read, a pile they may read, and a pile they are actually reading. And because the Sunshine Coast is a generous community, many people donate the books to the Faire – something we found out the first year when we realized that we were selling the same books over and over again. 

The Book Faires have become so successful because of the people who donate books, the loyal patrons who buy them and the people who make the Book Faires possible. These include the volunteers who set up and take down the sale, the cashiers, floor managers, those who vet and select the donations, and the library staff.

– Submitted by Sandra Friedman