A book is a friend forever: Marilla to host popular book sale once again

Norine Link, chairwoman of the annual Marilla Library: Friends of the Library book sale, is a true literature lover. Link has been busy planning and preparing for the sale by collecting books – everything from science fiction to mid-century poetry to cooking magazines. Books can be dropped off to the Marilla Public Library, 11637 Bullis Road, starting now during regular library hours.

The book sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, with a bag sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 and also on Sunday, Sept. 16 to coincide with Marilla’s “Agriculture Day.”

“We really publicize the sale,” said Link, “People are familiar with it, so they know they can bring in books; we receive thousands and thousands.”

The sale will be held at the Marilla Community Center on Two Rod Road. Any type of book is accepted, plus children’s books, puzzles and special interest magazines. However, condensed Reader’s Digest books, encyclopedias, and dictionaries are not being accepted simply because they do not sell.

“I’ve been the chair for three years,” Link said. “I enjoy doing it. Things fall into place. Our books are all categorized and organized, and from what I understand other sales can be helter-skelter.”

All the books will be in alphabetical order with signs pointing shoppers in the correct direction, to make all books easy to find just like in a bookstore. Link’s husband even donates his woodcutting and golf special-interest titles, as well as religious books and fiction. Books are reasonably priced – 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcover. There will be a room for children with picture books, puzzles, and DVDs to peruse.

“I am an avid reader,” Link said. “People who love reading enjoy holding an actual book in their hands and turning the pages.”

Link has so many favorite books and authors, she can hardly choose, having dove into many works of fiction and biographies recently.

There is a very real and shocking situation that comes out of the Marilla Library: Friends of the Library book sale, however, that the community could perhaps help with. All of the books left over from the sale at the end of three days have to be boxed up and donated somewhere; but up until now, thrift shops have been very specific in their requirements and have not accepted the sale’s leftovers.

Sadly, sanitation workers have had to collect the remaining books – and burn them. At the end of the sale, to prevent this from happening, if anyone would like the books, Link says it would be okay to take them from the Friends of the Library on the last day. The remaining last books might also be donated to other libraries and nursing homes, if these organizations want them.

Overall, Link has seen great success with the Marilla book sale. Book dealers show up at the crack of dawn on the first day to snatch up titles that they think will turn a profit.

If you are a reader and a book lover, head over to the Marilla Community Center for some bookish bargains that are not to be missed. For more information and/or donation guidelines, call Link at 652-2334.