Press Release Friends of the Library
Submitted by Wilma Allen
It is clear there’s no shortage of readers in Fernandina Beach. Book lovers flocked to Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library’s (FOL) Book Sale last weekend and scooped up enough bargain books, DVDs, and other items to generate $12,000+ for Library programs. “This is $2,000 more than our last two record-setting sales,” said Annie Sparkle, FOL book sale chairman. “Since almost everything is priced at $2.00 or less, this is a tremendous accomplishment.”
Proceeds from the semi-annual book sales are a major part of FOL’s annual grants to the Nassau County Library System for use in the Fernandina Beach Branch, says Bill Flynn, FOL President. Last year, FOL’s donation of $25,400 purchased books, e-books, periodicals, specialized databases, network access and other materials. “The success of this sale means we’re well on our way to match our last donation. It’s a great accomplishment and we have a huge number of people to thank for it.”
According to Sparkle, more than 20,000 books and other items were donated for the sale. More than twenty-five dedicated volunteers spent months sorting them by category so patrons could easily find what they want. Close to 90 volunteers including 13 Fernandina Beach High School students worked the days of the sale setting up, cleaning up, cashiering, merchandizing and helping customers with their purchases. Several churches and local organizations loaned tables and contributed in other ways and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department supplied workers for heavy lifting.
Twenty seven folks either joined or renewed their FOL memberships and others made donations and pledges to FOL’s Capital Campaign, resulting in almost $12,000 more for library projects. This Capital Campaign is a joint project to expand and renovate the Library on 4th Street. The City of Fernandina Beach which owns the library building, and Nassau County which runs the Library system have each committed $600,000 to the project and FOL has now raised gifts and pledges totaling almost $600,000 of its $1.2 million goal for construction, furniture, equipment and other needs.
The all-volunteer not-for-profit Friends of the Library also sponsors dozens of educational programs for adults and children throughout the year. For more information contact the Friends of the Library, PO Box 17155, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035, call (904) 321-6529 or visit www.fernandinaFOL.org or e-mail [email protected]. This fully secured website will accept pledges and credit card donations.
Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation whose main mission is two-fold ― to promote literacy and life-long learning and to advocate and raise funds for the library. For information on membership or events, send an email to [email protected] or visit www.nassaureads.com and click on Friends of the Library.
November 26, 2013 6:19 a.m.