Photo by Antonio Tarantino.
The Malden Public Library Book Sale is an event held once every year where residents Malden can come together to purchase books at an incredibly low price. The event is held at the Malden Public Library on the basement floor. This way, lots of people can come search and for books and still not disturb those trying to read and work upstairs.
The Book Sale lasted for two days. The first day was on Friday, October 27th from 6pm to 9pm. This day was the “Friends Only” Preview. The preview was opened to only those of whom were “Friends” of the Malden Public Library. They consist of volunteers that help the library get supplies and organize events. Anyone can become a Friend and help support their neighborhood library.
The second day was on Saturday, October 28th from 10am to 4pm. This day was open to the General Public. During this day of the Book Sale, aisles of books and lines to the register were filled with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Children books cost 25¢ each, with five for $1. For young adult books, paperbacks cost 50¢ and hardcovers cost $1.
Besides books, the book sale also sold CDs (25¢), DVDs ($1), Games/Puzzles (50¢), Magazines (10¢/ 12 for $1), and Audiobooks ($1).
Even though the book sale was very busy, the organizers prepared for this ahead of time so they are ready for the huge crowd of people that first come and go. “[Organizers] are basically on [their] feet the whole time.” said by Sarah Buckley, a volunteer and Friend of the Malden Public Library.
Other than the five to six employees, there were twelve to twenty Friends helping at the book sale. The sale usually sells about 10,000 books because a lot of people buy a lot of books at once.
Once the book sale is over, the library keeps all the money they raised from all the purchases. The money then goes to the Friends Group and a fund. Every meeting, the Friends are given “Wish List Items”. And on these lists consists of supplies for events the library holds and for the library itself. Items may include computers, arts and crafts, books, and more.
The Malden Public Library receives tons of book donations all year round. They often keep what they do not have or what they have room for. What they do not keep is put into the book sale, whether it is a latest book or a book older than dirt. If there are too many copies, extras will be sold. If it is in too bad of shape to have, it is sold. Even if it has not been sold in a while, they would still put it in the book sale. The book sale relies on the donations from people in town. So if there is any books you do not want anymore and are planning to throw it out, donate it.
The Friends of the library have been organizing the book sales since the late 1990s and plans to continue the tradition. The sale and the wine tasting are the biggest events the library holds every year. Everyone at the sale was kind to each other. No one argued about who got what book, there was no shoving and it was just such a friendly environment. Buckley says that “[The book sale is] really fun” and “Personally, this is one of the biggest and best organized book sales.
The Malden Public Library looks forward to their next book sale in 2018.
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