From July 9-12, the Ames Public Library is building community and saving readers money with its book sale fundraiser. From books to movies and genres spanning from fiction to psychology, there is something for everyone.
Jehan Faisal, the volunteer services coordinator, has been a part of the book sale for many years. “It’s just a great time to encounter people who really love the things you love,” Faisal said. “Suppose someone enjoys something like cooking or trains, and comes to the book sale. You’re gonna see clustered around the transportation books, a whole bunch of people that also love trains and want to talk about trains, so there’s a really lovely community aspect to it.”
The sale is made possible by 125 volunteers.
“It takes a lot of hands to pull off the book sale, and it’s remarkable to me how people are so generous with their time and their labor,” Faisal said.
From cashiers to organizers to movers, volunteers are the reason the library can pull off such a feat of a program.
All year long, additional volunteers do the labor between sales, such as sorting and accepting book donations.
“We have volunteers really running every bit of it,” Faisal said. “I think it’s ambitious and impressive as a volunteer-fueled event.”
Oftentimes, the book sale has volunteers who come back for every sale.
“It has this kind of community fair aspect to it,” said Faisal.
Typically, the library hosts three book sales evenly spaced throughout the year, but due to donations, they are able to add a fourth.
“The book sale does a lot of different things for the library, but one thing is to raise important dollars for the Friends Foundation, and then all of those funds are invested into programming and sort of magnify the services that we have here at the library,” Faisal said.
The library is always accepting book donations for the book sale. Right inside the front door, there is a book donation slot. If you have boxes, there is a phone number posted on the back of the library to call, and someone will help you bring the boxes in.
There is a 10-box limit.
You can also make an appointment with the library in advance by calling.
On July 9, the book sale is open from 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Expect a line outside the library before opening and a constant queue. On Friday and Saturday, it’s open from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. These days are relaxed and perfect for leisurely browsing.
On Sunday, doors open at noon and stay open until 5 p.m. There is a $1.00 admission fee to take any amount of books as you want. On this day, you can find a line before the doors open.
“It’s just a really good time,” Faisal said. “It really is a signature event.”
