Donations of books needed for library sales

Editor:

The Friends of Columbia County Libraries conducts a monthly sale of donated books. Past sales have been so successful that we have depleted our supply of books for the November 2001 sale. This is a good problem to have but we need the communitys help to solve it. Citizens can help us to help them by donating used books. Books for children are especially needed.

Hardback books donated to the Friends are sold for $1 and paperback books are sold for 50 cents. Proceeds from these sales are combined with membership fees and donated to the Columbia County Library Foundation. During the past year, the Friends has donated $20,000 to the foundation. These funds are used by the Foundation to enhance library facilities and programs for which appropriated money is not available.

Anyone who has books that they would like to donate to the Friends, please take them to the Gibbs Memorial Library. Donated books are tax-deductible and a receipt will be given if requested. It is a win-win situation.

Additionally, the Friends is now beginning its 2002 membership drive. Anyone who would like to be a Friend should please call me at 863-0448 and I will mail them a membership application.

Finally, I urge everyone to visit the Harlem Library and see the construction and renovation projects now in progress. Then drive by the Evans Government Center and see the glowing sign erected where the new main county library will be constructed. Both visits will give a warm, satisfying feeling.

Russ Holloman, Ph.D.,

President, Friends of Columbia County Libraries