The Friends of the Library were prepared for last year's rain showers and it didn't slow the book buyers down one bit! Photo by Rick Gould.
The 53rd annual Library Fair brings not just books and more books, but also an Art Auction, all-day entertainment from the Stage on the Eastsound Village Green, food and craft vendors and kids booths.It is the largest public event held on Orcas Island each year, says Fair Chairman James Lobdell. The Friends of the LIbrary put on the fair, and donate the proceeds to the library’s capital funds and programs.
The Fair will be held at the Eastound Village Green this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Orcas Island Library has one of the highest circulation rates in the State of Washington. Each year one to two thousand books are added to the collection, which is regularly “weeded.” The “culls” form the bulk of the book sales at the Library Fair. Donations are also received from the public throughout the year.
In addition to the books, CDs, DVDs, maps and videos will also be on the Friends of the LIbrary Book Sale tables.
Last year, for just the second time in the more-than-half-century of the Library Fair, it rained. But having been through the drill in 2003, the volunteer Friends were prepared with plastic sheets that came on and off the books throughout the changing weather.
Library Director Phil Heikkinen said at the time, “I rediscovered… how resilient and resistant to rain both islanders and visitors alike are. When it was raining they stood looking at books under the plastic and when it stopped, they immediately started buying.”
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