Friends of the Wayne County Library host their annual winter book sale

Hundreds and hundreds of books will be offered for sale on March 15 and 16 at the Wooster Friends of the Library winter book sale. Most of the books will be priced between 25 cents and $1.25.

Betty Wilkin and Vicki Bailey are the co-chairs of a committee that works year round to make the sales come to life.

All committee members are part of a larger volunteer group called the Wooster Friends of the Wayne County Public Library. "Our main goal is to support the library in its projects and to support the facility in any way we can," said Bailey, who has been involved with the group for 12 years.

Funds raised by the library friends group go toward everything from continuing education for the library staff, to physical improvements, to the library building and grounds. "We purchased the benches that are out in the back of the library," Bailey said.

The majority of books included in the sale come from library discards with a smaller number from community donations. Bailey explained that as the librarians rotate their sorting through the stacks during the year, the abundance of books on one topic or another varies with each sale.

While there are books in every genre imaginable, there is a particular abundance for this sale of books in the following categories: history, genealogy, westerns, graphic novels, juvenile fiction, biographies, cartoons and comic books.

"We also have a large quantity of children’s books," Bailey said. "And we have reference books and a large-print edition of the Bible in 25 volumes."

Regular sale offerings include mysteries, large print, fiction and cookbooks. There are books on health and religion as well. Any sort of book found at the library is likely to be available at the sale.

It's not just about books, though. There are CDs, DVDs, a few VHS and a small selection of art prints.

Keep in mind unusual items and books may be individually priced.

What makes people want to sort, organize and shelve the endless stack of discarded books?
Mindy Brain, a member of the library friends, has been volunteering with the book sale for the past three years. "I love it," she said. "Not only are you accomplishing something for the library, you have fellowship with other fun, like-minded people."

"I enjoy reading very much," Bailey said. "I see this as a way to encourage other people to read."

Bailey reminds everyone there is no bag sale during the winter event. "It's only two days long. We wait until the summer sale, which is three days long, to offer a bag sale."

This past fall the volunteers tried something new: offering pop-up sales at the library. "We were getting such a collection of holiday books, and nobody wants to buy a Christmas book in July," Bailey said.

Wooster Friends of the Wayne County Public Library is always looking for new members. The group has just recently launched its 2019 membership drive.

Volunteers participate in a wide variety of activities and needs throughout the year. Anyone interested in volunteering may pick up an application at the library or email WoosterFriends@wcpl.info for more information.

The Wooster Friends of the Library winter book sale will take place Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held downstairs at the library operations center (the old library), 304 N. Market, Wooster.

Parking is available at the Lutheran church on Friday only. It is elevator accessible. Enter at the bookmobile ramp.

The committee encourages everyone to come out and check out the sale. Brain said, "There is something for everyone. That's for sure."