USED BOOKS — Branch Librarian Debbie Brewer (from left), along with Pat Polley and Alice Keighton of Friends of the Alleghany County Library, look over a table full of donated books. The books will be used for the library's book sale at this Saturday's Mountain Heritage Festival. Friends of the Library is researching a separate location to operate a bookstore on an ongoing basis.

Friends of the Library may open used bookstore to raise money

Alleghany County may see a used bookstore open here sometime soon. Friends of the Alleghany County Public Library is contemplating such a venture as an outgrowth of the used book sales frequently held at the library. Representatives of that organization said that the idea is in the consideration stage, with no definite decisions made yet.

Branch Librarian Debbie Brewer said that while the number varies, the library receives about 100 books donated in a typical week. Book sales are held to coincide with events such as Sparta's Fourth of July Parade and this coming Saturday's Mountain Heritage Festival. The sales generate considerable interest and inquiries, she said.

Often, however, a book sale is scheduled when the stockpile of books threatens to cramp the library's already confined interior. The volumes sometimes occupy part of the library's meeting room. "We don't have a lot of space," said Brewer. "If we could find another location (for a bookstore), it would help the space crunch."

Alice Keighton, a Friends of the Library member who is looking into the possibility of a bookstore, said a store could help alleviate the workload of local librarians, who spend significant time and effort preparing for the book sales. A bookstore could be staffed by Friends volunteers. Pat Polley, president of Friends of the Library, said a store would probably be open at first only on a limited basis, during the latter part of the week.

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