Brennan Phillips
Special to the Western News
Their so-called “dirty” book sale is the largest of the Penticton Public Library’s fundraising efforts, and they plan to fill the library and museum lobby with tables full of books.
“We have so many books than we can fit on the tables, so even as we sell books, there will be more waiting to get put out,” said Geraldine Shockey at the library.
The dirty book sale, which started earlier this month, is made up of books withdrawn from the library’s circulation, the source of the name for the sale, as well as from donations. In addition to the books, there will be cds, dvds, and magazines set out on the 15 tables making up the sale.
“Last year we raised $15,732 by the end of the year. This year, we’ve just passed the at $12,000 mark,” said Shockey. “I would sure like to make more than $15,000 this year, but you never know what will come in or who will walk. You just don’t know, but I hope and think we can reach the $15,000.”
The prices of the books start at 25 cents, and run up to a dollar and a half per book. The dirty book sale runs three times a year, while the library maintains a much smaller sale year round in the library proper.
“You wouldn’t think it, but those 25 cent books start adding up. So we’re thankful not only to the people who donate their books, but also the people who come and buy the books.”
The books that make up the sale are stored in the library’s basement, and over the year the number grows as more are donated.
“We have so many books, we can’t put everything out on the first day, and the tables will probably be out for weeks,” said Shockey. “So even if people miss the first day, they can still come by later and there will books for them to look at.”