Library’s used book sale a novel fundraiser

“Today is Library Day in Rhode Island,” Helen Antonizio was saying Saturday morning. “Libraries across the state will be having a number of different and fun events.”

Antonizio, who serves as president of the Friends of Mohr Library, also wanted it known that Sunday was the sixth anniversary of the “new Mohr” and that April 9 through 15 is National Library Week with Tuesday, April 11, designated as National Library Workers’ Day.

Although the Friends of Mohr didn’t hold a special celebration for any of those days, the non-profit held one of its popular and important events, a used book sale, that was again an overwhelming success.

“The $7 Fill-Our-Bag proved to be a huge hit,” Antonizio said. “People were filling their bags to the brim and customers had more of a challenge packing and repacking those bags to get the most for their money.”

She explained that the Friends of Mohr used to have a larger bag, complete with the group’s logo that people filled for just $15. Trouble is, as Antonizio later noted, “They were really popular but we had run out of them and hadn’t had a bag special for the last few book sales. We found a sturdy plastic bag that held half the books as the other one, who bought some and used that for the fill-a-bag bargain this time and charged only $7.”

Some people, she added, bought more than one bag and, depending on the sizes of the used books that were on sale Saturday, really got some great bargains.

Other people who took in the used book sale didn’t use the fill-a-bag offer but bought lots of fiction paperbacks the Friends of Mohr had on sale for three for just $1. The group also had children’s books on sale Saturday, offering five for just a dollar or three for just a buck.

The Friends of Mohr also sold hardcover books for just $1 and dealers, Antonizio reported, came early and scooped up mostly non-fiction books and the fiction books sold steadily throughout the well-attended sale.

“People told us they liked that we always have a good variety,” Antonizio said. “Some people also said they went to book sales at other libraries but that ours was better and had much more of a variety to choose from.”

She also noted that some teachers even showed up and bought books they planned to use in their classrooms. Ironically, Antonizio, who was joined by Friends of Mohr board members Sheila Manny and Katie Lombardo, said, “Many people tell us they buy paperbacks or hardcover fiction books at our sale, and then donated them back after they had read them.”

The success of Saturday’s Used Book Sale, like others in the past, has been a major means of fund-raising for the Friends of Mohr.

When the group received its non-profit status during the time planning current library was being built, the Friends also ran some well-received events such as quilt shows, a dinner/dance collaboration with the Johnston Lions Club, as well as a raffle along the way.

“We earned three awards from two library-related organizations along with way,” Antonizio said. “The used book sales have also enabled us to support many important programs connected with the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library.”

One in particular is the Andrew Greene Memorial Fund, which helps to sponsor children and young adult programs and supplies. There have also been other specific memorial donations to the Friends that have increased the library’s collection of genealogical materials and large type fiction.

Among the Friends of Mohr’s major accomplishments that the all-volunteer prides itself in and maintains is sponsoring free or discount passes every year for the Providence Children’s Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo and Rhode Island Historical Society.

Equally important, the Friends of Mohr helps sponsor Mohr Libraries Summer Reading Program that is held in adult, children and young adult areas. Along with the cost of those programs, the Friends supply prizes for reading and children and teen end-of-summer celebrations.

“We also hold memberships in library-related groups like United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association and Rhode Island Coalition of Library Advocates. We advocate for libraries in general and specifically for the Marian J. Mohr Library, along with funding extra programs and services here at Mohr.”