A bibliographical universe is sitting there, waiting for you.
Sunrise Rotarians, Dakota transport driver John and Friends of the Library volunteers moved 8.5 tons of books into the Tembec Gym on Saturday, in preparation for the Library’s 13th annual book sale. A book or 10 for every taste and age group is guaranteed.
The highly anticipated event kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 26, with the members’ only sale. It runs through Sunday, when the “bag sale” takes place — a feature that proved so popular when it was introduced last year the Friends of the Library is reprising it.
“This sale is the main source of revenue for collection additions, that aren’t already included in the library’s budget,” said Marilyn Forbes, with the Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library.
“It seems to be getting more popular every year,” she said. “A lot of people wait for it every year.”
More than 10,000 books and other items are in place for the four-day event.
While Wednesday’s opening day is for members of the Friends of the Library Society, those memberships can be purchased right at the door. Wednesday’s sale runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the bag sale on Sunday runs from 9:30 to 1 p.m.
Forbes said they wanted to go longer on Sunday, but the tear-down and clean-up time required precluded that.
The old Heritage Building is still owned by Tembec, despite Canfor’s purchase of Tembec regional assets. However, the building has been purchased by the Ktunaxa First Nation. Forbes said the Ktunaxa are moving into the building the day after the sale.
The “bag sale” on Sunday is where shoppers can purchase a “Friends of the Library” bookbag, and fill it up for five dollars.
The Friends of the Library runs the sale in partnership with the Sunrise Rotary Club, and split the profits 50/50. Forbes added that leftover books will be shipped to Better World Books (betterworldbooks.com), who will sell them on line.
Better World Books’ mission statement is “to capitalize on the value of the book to fund and support literacy initiatives locally, nationally, and around the world.” They raise funding for over 80 non-profit literacy programs.