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Book and media lovers will have a bountiful selection from which to choose next weekend, as an annual sale at the Cape Coral Library turns a new page.
Next Friday and Saturday, the Friends of the Cape Coral Library will host its Spring Book Sale, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 17 and 18, with a members-only preview the day before.
The large meeting room at the Cape Coral Library will be filled with thousands of quality used books arranged by category. There will be lots of fiction for adults and a large section for children and teens. Attendees can find non-fiction sorted by subject, audio books and music CDs, plus movies on DVD. Most items are $1 or $2, with small paperbacks at less than a dollar. The Friends also will highlight a large selection of "special" books (such as those by Florida authors, autographed books, collectibles and more) that are priced somewhat higher, but are still an incredible bargain.
"We have such a variety of books that are categorized, and the prices are so good," said Monica Rahman, Friends of the Cape Coral Library Publicity and Art Gallery chair. "You can find really nice books at very, very reasonable prices."
A variety of unique, hand-made home decor made from donated books will be for sale at the event. Coordinator for the group of FOCCL member crafters, Anne Keane, said the items will reflect spring themes and will also include red, white, and blue items to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary. According to Keane, the team of 10 members get together before each sale to make sure they have a good supply of new book crafts on hand.
Rahman said putting together the book sales is a year-round effort by a large team of volunteers who reply to calls left on the donation hotline; inspect, sort and pack donated books; pick up books from donors; and transfer books to storage in anticipation of the sales.
"Lots of FOCCL member volunteers come the morning of set-up day to await the delivery of tables and hundreds of cartons of books held in storage," she said. "More volunteers come that afternoon to sort books, during the sale days to assist customers, and then to help with packing up at the end."
Proceeds from the event are used to support the Cape Coral Public Library branch.
FOCCL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer organization, with a mission to provide direct support to the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library and enhancements to the library experience.
Examples of what the Friends of the Cape Coral Library provides:
• Funding for the Summer Reading Programs at the Cape Coral Library
• Funding for the library programs all year and offered free of charge for all age groups
• Organizing exhibits by local artists in the library's expansive art gallery
• Organizing and sponsoring the annual environmental art contest for children throughout the county for the past 20 years. FOCCL provide prizes for the 20 awardees and refreshments for the Awards Ceremony. (This year's theme is Protect Our Florida Black Bears. Awards Ceremony will be held this year at the library on May 13 from 6 to 7 p.m.)
• Acting as a generous supporter of the annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival held in early March
• Funding various projects as requested by the library
• Collaborating with the Garden Club of Cape Coral to support the beautiful Butterfly Garden at the Cape Coral Library. (FOCCL funds supplies and enhancements, while they provide the labor and expertise for the garden.)
Organizers ask attendees to remember to bring cash or personal check, since credit cards are not accepted.
Donations of gently used resale quality books, CDs and DVDs for FOCCL's book sales are accepted year-round.
For more information about the non-profit organization and events, visit capefriends.org and follow FOCCL on Facebook.