The Friends of the Waltham Public Library recently wrapped up another successful two-week annual book sale, raising over $13,000 to enhance and support public library services in the City. Happy customers walked away with thousands of bargain books, audio books, music and video recordings.

The Friends of the Waltham Public Library raises funds to provide extras that are beyond the reach of the City budget, such as laptops for free computer classes at the library, supplies for the Children’s Summer Reading Program, free and reduced-cost passes to area museums, and free programs such as workshops for job seekers, concerts, lectures and author appearances. A department of the City of Waltham, the library is available to all thanks to the citizens and elected officials of Waltham, who understand the importance of the public library as an essential tool for the educational, cultural and economic development of our community. The Friends is dedicated to supporting strong City-funded Library services, applying its funds to projects that are above and beyond the basics.

Book Sale Co-Chairs Betsey Greenman and Parrish Rice worked long hours planning and organizing their team of volunteers, and were rewarded with a 15% increase in sales over last year’s event. A small planning group met in the summer to discuss ideas for improving the sale for customers – the Friday night preview in particular – and decided on several changes to the room layout, rules of etiquette, and publicity. Others spent hours unpacking, sorting, shelving and selling the mountains of donations. Janet Welch and Dr. Helene Day appeared to have moved into the library for the duration of the sale: they were always on hand to be sure the books were in order and the cash box was tended. Many others devoted countless hours to the cause as well, including: Margaret Allen, Lela Chiavaras, Mary Connaughton, Joan Garniss, Rita Guardabassio, Jerri DeKriek, Elizabeth Hannon, Tom Jewell, Teresa Lorden, Norm MacDonald, Don McAdam, Juana McDougall, Jeanne O’Connell, Deb Savarino, Joan Sheridan, Maureen Taddeo and Graeme Williams.

The Book Sale Committee is especially grateful to the library staff for their help and cooperation. Head of Maintenance Gary Smith, ably assisted by Bill Sutherland and Matthew Harvey, sorted and stored donations all year long, then set up the room and supplied the volunteers with the books and materials they needed before and during the sale.

Thank you to all of those who donated items for the sale and to all the customers who make the annual sale such a profitable and fun event.

Sincerely,

Kate Tranquada

Library Director