Bill O’Boyle

Bill O’Boyle

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WILKES-BARRE — In the last 43 years the Friends of the Osterhout Free Library has donated more than $535,000 to the Osterhout Library from funds raised at the Annual Book Sale.

That’s why it’s such great news that the annual Book Sale is back, starting today through Saturday.

In a Times Leader story announcing the return of the popular event, staff writer Mary Therese Biebel quoted Irene Martin, longtime volunteer with the Friends of the Osterhout.

“We won’t have to contend with rain or wind or intense heat,” Martin said, explaining the sale will be held in the air-conditioned comfort of the library’s reading room (enter from the rear of the building, please) instead of outdoors under a tent.

The story stated:

• The library’s reading room has 30 stations in it, each filled with a different sort of book — from science fiction and fantasy to self-improvement and health along with sections devoted to crafts, travel, poetry, short stories and reference books.

• Prices range from 25 cents to $5.

“And we have so many other books in the basement,” Martin said. “We’ll be able to replenish the stock throughout the sale.”

The Osterhout is located at 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Hours for the sale will be 9:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, which is the final day, called “bag day,” and patrons will be able to fill a bag of books for $5.

For more information, call 570-823-0156, or see osterhout.info.

The Book Sale raises money that is desperately needed and always put to good use to keep the building operating and to purchase needed equipment.

The aforementioned “library basement” is where some 60,000-plus books, DVDs and other items are stored for the sale They are stacked in boxes — self-isolating as we say, in the cold, dank basement of the library.

I’ve been in that basement where those books wait to be set free from their current dismal residence in the bowels of the old library, soon to be purchased and taken to a new home where they will be appreciated time and again. They will again enlighten young and old for generations to come.

The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library was formed shortly after the Agnes Flood of 1972 and the group began by raising funds to help the library recoup its losses.

The money raised used to purchase items that are not usually in the library’s budget. Over the years, the book sale has paid for a lawn mower, a computer, shelving and a baby changing table for the rest room.

There are always books to interest even the most passive reader, and there are classics for the most passionate learner. Everything from mysteries to novels to biographies to books on history, cooking, art, music, humor, home improvement, sports, health, business, theater, science fiction and children’s books.

Something for everyone.

I attend the book sale every year, always finding bargains for myself, friends and family,

I realize books don’t have a heart beat, and they aren’t living creatures, but they sure do provide a lot for us.

Books, if just given the chance, bring us so much joy. They take us to far away places and adventures.

Books teach us about people, places and things. Our children and grandchildren learn from them, whether it be ABCs, or the colors of the rainbow. We can buy books for the valued words linked together to tell stories, or we can buy them for their spectacular pictures

They all should find a new home. They all should be given the chance to be appreciated once more.

We can read to learn, or we can read to appreciate other viewpoints. Books challenge us that way. They are there for all of us to read, digest and learn.

Go to the Osterhout Book Sale. Recycle these wonderful books. Help the library grow.

And may the Friends of the Osterhout always be at its side.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at [email protected].