Those shopping the Friends of the Marietta Public Library's fall used book sale Tuesday can snag a bargain: bags of used books can be purchased for only $2 per bag.
More than a bargain, it's a "steal," said Katherine Pekruhn, vice president of the Friends of the Marietta Public Library board. "Where can you buy for $2 a shopping bag full of books as well as audio visual items?"
By forking over a mere two Washingtons, sale attendees receive a brown shopping bag that can be stuffed as full as possible.
"Some people know how to pack a bag. They can get very creative," Pekruhn laughingly added.
Tuesday is one of the two most popular days of the four-day sale that started Friday, Pekruhn said.
"Right at the beginning of the sale (is popular). They're wanting to see what we have because our prices are so good," she added. "Tuesday we have our regulars that are coming in for some bargains."
Fact Box
If you go
What: Final day, Friends of the Marietta Public Library fall used book sale.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.
Where: Library Annex, 617 Fifth St., Marietta.
Cost: $2 per bag of used books.
According to Pekruhn, a "goodly amount" of items are still available for today's $2 bag sale.
"We have lots of books. A lot of times things are overlooked," she said.
Marina Webb, 53, of Williamstown has been coming to the used book sale with her mother Marjorie Lane of Marietta every year since the sale started.
"I just like books," said Lane, who was looking for Christian books and those by author John Grisham Monday.
Webb was perusing the book selection in search of historical and Christian romances.
"I try to find kids' books since I teach preschool, but we were here too late," she said.
The Friends of the Marietta Public Library has held spring and fall used book sales for more than 12 years. From 3,000 to 5,000 books are offered at each used book sale, noted Pekruhn.
"They are fresh books for each sale. We keep over very few books that hadn't sold," she added.
When the library culls through its collection to make room for new books, the Friends of the Marietta Public Library is the fortunate beneficiary.
"(The library) is not allowed to sell anything by law. Instead of throwing them out, they give them to us for the sale," said Pekruhn.
Proceeds from the sale help fund library programming, as well as extra items that are not in the library's budget. Past items have included extra shelving for the children's department, computer tables and a fax machine and printer, as well as help in renovating the exterior of the annex building.
Used book sales have "generally raised around $2,000," Pekruhn said. Also included in the figure are the dues people pay to become members of the Friends of the Marietta Public Library.
To donate books, movies (VHS and DVD) and music for the Friends of the Marietta Public Library's spring 2013 used book sale, drop them off anytime in the breezeway of the Library Annex, the building to the right of the library.
The purpose of Friends of the Marietta Public Library is to maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries. The group works to focus public attention on area library services and needs, assist the library board and staff in developing and sponsoring programs of educational, cultural, or recreational value, and develop fundraising projects.
