Friends of Mercer Library holds book sale

By RICHARD JENKINS

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MERCER, Wis. - Area bookworms in search of a deal can head over the Mercer Public Library this week for the Friends of the Mercer Library's summer book sale.

While it was only the first day, Library Director Teresa Schmidt said Tuesday started with an early rush and the sale had been going well so far.

"That (rush is) always nice, people who like to get in right away and get the best selection," Schmidt said. "But we are adding new things every day this week."

While the library is closed today due to the town's Loon Days celebration, the sale will continue Thursday and Friday. The library is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Friday is also the sale's bag day, when people will be able to purchase a bag of books rather than paying per book.

Much like the library's sale during National Library Week this year, the book sale is a three-day event in the library's Friends of the Library room instead of a one-day sale in the larger community center next door.

"It worked out really well. People seemed to like it and ... we needed fewer volunteers," Schmidt said. "It was easier for us to manage it."

Sale organizers will continue to refill the tables with new books as space becomes available.

"We'll be adding new things to the shelves every day, so people can stop back if they want to," Schmidt said.

The Friends of the Library uses the money raised from the sale in a variety of ways to support the library.

Friends president Wendy Thiede said the group recently purchased some new furniture for the reading room, and would be looking to upgrade the furniture in the teen area soon. She said the group is also always looking for ways to make the library more energy efficient and helps cover any extra costs - such as some programming - that aren't part of the town budget.