Library Fair: Past, Present and Future for Many Years to Come

— by Madeleine Treneer, Orcas Issues summer intern —

Beat the heat with books and reading at the Library Fair 2016

Mysteries, Classics, Fiction, History, Biographies, Humor, and many more genres were among the piles and piles of books on display at the Library Fair on Saturday in the Orcas Library parking lot. This Library Fair was about the thrill of the hunt for books. Of course, there were other activities as well, such as live musc, story telling, jewelry booths and some tasty treats.

The amazing thing, and what many people do not realize, is that the Orcas Library fair has existed in one form or another for sixty years!

It all started in the summer of 1956, when the library board was faced with a problem: they had no funds to buy book pockets and cards. About one thousand books had to be processed. Someone came up with the idea of having a “Hobby Show” as an easy way to raise money. Craftsmen from around the Island were called on to sell their wares. The first Hobby Show was held in the Odd Fellows Hall. By the end of the day they had banked $900.

During this time Dot Bolles was the chair and The Library Fair was held on Main street, before it moved to the Odd Fellows Hall.It was the biggest event on the Island at the time, and represented the library’s main source of income, seeing as how it was not tax-supported. The Library Fair became one of a number of fundraising events, such as the “Library Tea.” Back then the event featured a white elephant show, the book sale, music and food, and silent auctions.

Ultimately, the name “Hobby Show” was changed to “The Arts and Crafts Show” as the fair grew and changed its content. Some of the early supporters were Julia Crandal, Richard Snyder, Ethelyn Head, and Margaret Adams. It was not until 1973 that the show had grown far beyond its modest beginnings and became “The Library Fair.”

In 1994 the Library Fair moved to the Village Green. They shared the space with the Farmer’s Market, with musical performances on the Stage and booths and tables piled with books. The Farmer’s Market was moved to the street, intermixed with the Library booths. But the Farmer’s Market site became very crowded, with barely any space between the booths. Some people also were not comfortable using the street. As a result, they moved the Library Fair to the Library Grounds in 2013. But locals still have different opinions about the current location.

“For me the book fair works better at the Library parking lot, because there is more room, and also the sales are better up there, although both places work for different reasons,” says Library Director Phil Heikkinen. According to Phil, some folks from the Farmer’s Market would like The Library Fair to return to The Village Green because there is better synergy. “In a perfect world,” adds Library Friend Tom Welch, “The Library Fair would be at the Village Green… I personally prefer it at the Library.”

Nowadays, the Library Fair is organized and hosted by the Friends of the Library, whose financial contributions represent about five percent of the library’s yearly net income. Among those organizing the Library Fair are: Timothy Lunde, president; Lynn Carter, treasurer; Sandra Wilson, publicity chair; Elane Phipps, vice president; Jim Wiemeyer who is in charge of the sales to second hand bookstores; Kathy Morris who is involved with 4H; Tom Welch, James Lobdell and Harold Lentzner.

The Library Friends’ mission is to support the library as best they can. In the future, they hope to increase their book sales, add more kid booths, musical performances and more non-profit booths and food vendors. The possibility of moving back to The Village Green has also been floated, though there are still mixed views on the subject.

Whatever the venue, the Library Fair will no doubt continue in the years to come to bring locals together to celebrate their love of books and to support the library and the Island community.