During Volunteer Appreciation Month it’s important to remember that volunteers are essential to many efforts in our communities. Mike Klawitter, a volunteer in our Triad Program, volunteers at the E.D Locke Public Library in McFarland helping with their book sales fundraisers. Mike has written a short article about this effort to raise funds for the library. And remember that RSVP’s annual Open House is this Wednesday, April 23, from 1:00 to 3:00 at our office, 6501 Watts Rd, Suite 250, Madison. Come and talk with our staff and other volunteers to learn more about current volunteering opportunities.
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Volunteers: The Key to Successful Book Sales Fundraisers at E.D. Locke Public Library, by Mike Klawitter
Several patrons of the E.D. Locke Public Library in McFarland enter the building as the doors open for business on a chilly Friday morning. They’re not only checking out or returning books, they are making their way to a large room full of used books for sale.
A young mother finds several books suitable for her children to read and happily pays the nominal price for them. Another cradles four recent best sellers in her arms and puts them in a cloth-handled carrying bag. A young man wearing a necktie and a pair of knit slacks says he is short of money and asks if the library can hold his books for later. But a kind woman in line behind him offers to make the purchase for him, and he leaves the library overjoyed over her generosity.
It’s all part of doing business at the library’s used book sales, held every three months at 5920 Milwaukee Street, McFarland.
The sales are often successful at raising money for the library, but they can’t take place without the efforts of volunteers who help set up the sale by displaying the books on large rectangular tables, work as cashiers, and take down the books and store them until the next sale.
Dorothy Christenson has been a book sale volunteer for six years after working 45 years as a nurse.
“I like the library and believe in the library,” she said. “I’ve noticed we’ve had more volunteers. Instead of having empty spaces for a week or so, they fill up almost in one day. I think people enjoy it.”
Volunteers are kept busy for five days during each sale. Wednesday is devoted to displaying and pricing books. The sale is open to the public on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, book lovers can take advantage of the best bargain as they are charged a small fee for a bag full of books. And Sunday is devoted to tearing down the furniture used in the sale and restocking the books.
Denise Peterson has spent three years volunteering at the sales and also serves as co-chair of the group that coordinates them. A former school teacher at Monona Grove High School, she was also a volunteer and founder of the Charter School for gifted students in Monona.
“I love libraries. Years and years ago when I moved to McFarland, there was not a public library yet, and I thought that was shocking and terrible,” she said. Peterson and her husband helped spearhead efforts to open a library in the community.
She added that the book sales provide money to fund important programs that benefit library patrons of all ages.
“Students who have been in and out of libraries their whole lives are more likely to do well in school.” Peterson said. “They understand the value of books and learn from library programs. To me, a library is something that is absolutely essential. It feels good to say I’ve been a part of helping the library be a success and getting the children excited about it.”
To learn more about volunteering at the E.D. Locke Public Library book sales, visit mcfarlandlibrary.org or phone (608) 838-9030.
