SHEPHERDSTOWN—Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) returned now that COVID-19 has taken a backseat to social activity and welcomed book lovers to its annual book sale to benefit the town’s library.
Two floors of the War Memorial Building were filled with tables bursting at the seams with all types of books. Genres of all sorts drawing in readers of every age with any interest could be found and obtained for a nominal fee. The beautiful weather helped draw in folks both Saturday and Sunday to gather boxes of their favorite reading material or to try out new authors.
Rob Sisk, president of FOSL, expressed his excitement to be back offering the book sale to the community while also working to earn funds for the library.
“It’s a big one this year,” Sisk said, referring to the sale. “The community is wonderful for donating so many books and then for purchasing them as well.”
“We have many needs for the new library,” Sisk explained when asked if the book sale was a specific funding source for a project.
“We work with the library staff and see what their needs are and work to help them,” Sisk said of the volunteer organization that has been in existence for several decades.
Currently, there are approximately 70 members of the FOSL, but the group is always looking for additional members.
“We are always looking to grow our membership,” Sisk said. “We have many people who volunteer, giving their time and giving of their financial resources.”
“We are hoping with the new library that we will continue to grow membership and to be able to offer a lot of additional opportunities for fundraising and social gatherings.”
The new library, Sisk shared, is currently under construction with the hope that the doors will open late summer or early fall. That opening will depend upon construction schedules and weather.
In speaking of the book sale, Sisk stressed that it isn’t all about fundraising but even more so the importance of reading. The books that don’t sell are sorted for potential future sale possibilities, while others will go to a book wholesaler who will offer them to others.
Sisk specifically gave kudos to the Shepherdstown Community Club for allowing the library to hold the sale at the War Memorial Building.
“We have a wonderful relationship with the Community Club and are so thankful to them,” Skis said.
