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By MARK E. JONES [email protected]
Friday, June 18, 2004 Page: 3A
WILKES-BARRE – For two bucks, you can get “Unlimited Access.”
Of course, if you’re not interested in FBI agent Gary Aldrich’s book about
the Clinton White House, that same $2 would allow you to nab “The Greatest
Generation.” Or explore “The Meaning of Your Dreams.” Or thumb through
“Space.”
All these titles – and thousands more books, videotapes, CDs and vinyl
records – will be up for grabs beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the annual
Friends of the Osterhout Free Library book sale.
“We have more (items) than last year,” said Veronica Buzinkai, the
group’s president. “More true crime. And more new books, published from 2000
right up to 2004.”
In other words, whether you’re a reader of the risque (“Mating”) or the
religious (“Digging Up the Bible,”) this sale has your topic: cooking,
gardening, nature, sports, health and a half-dozen others. But remember, the
underlying subject during this seven-day event is finance. Every quarter
collected goes to support the library.
Last year, the fund-raiser generated more than $13,000, an all-time record,
Buzinkai said. However, the Osterhout was faced with a critical cash-flow
problem because of a reduction in its state funding.
Consequently, instead of using sale proceeds for “wish-list items,” the
library poured the cash into its general operating budget, said Diane Suffren,
Osterhout’s executive director. The money primarily helped to pay for new
books and to mail the library’s newsletter. (Plus, about $1,000 is required
each year to offset the costs of holding the sale: extra insurance and
tent-rental fees.)
This year’s sale proceeds will most likely help the library maintain basic
services. That’s why the Osterhout’s supporters say they hope to see you and
many other book-buyers under the sales tent – preferably on more than one day.
To spur repeat business, friends, members and other volunteers will
periodically replenish the stock. A Lionel Richie record, for instance, might
be replaced by “Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music,” or “Beer Drinking
Songs by the Zillertal Band.”
All that music, and much more, can be yours – for just a few bucks.
Schedule
Sale hours this weekend: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. tomorrow. Closed Sunday.
Next week the book sale opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at the following
times: 5:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 4:30
p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Box
DONATE BOOKS, DVDs
The Osterhout Free Library always accepts gently used books and materials.
In particular, consider donating these items: children’s books, cookbooks,
mysteries, audio tapes, records, videos and DVDs. (Do not drop off magazines
or textbooks.)
Donations can be taken to the central library, at 71 S. Franklin St.,
Wilkes-Barre, or to any of its three branches. Please mark your donation boxes
or bags with “Attention: Friends Book Sale.”
cutline:
TIMES LEADER STAFF PHOTO/MADALYN RUGGIERO
Volunteers lugged books and tables outdoors Thursday to prepare for the
upcoming Friends of the Osterhout Free Library used book sale in Wilkes-Barre.
The fund-raising event begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow.