Like a hive of busy working bees, The Friends of the Arlington Public Library can be found happily humming along Monday mornings and every other Saturday, sorting books for their semi-annual book sale, which benefits Arlington’s Public Library system.
And busy they have been. Not too long ago, in addition to their local sale, the Friends began listing some of their book inventory for sale online via half.com under the seller name faplbooks.
The project exceeded their original expectations. After initial start up fees which included a computer, printer and mailing supplies, FAPL’s first years internet sales netted 4,569.32 in additional funds for the city libraries.
With an established base of regular and repeat customers, internet sales figures since then, have continued to grow.
Jerry Hunt reported that while at the annual meeting of the Texas Library Association in Austin in 2005, internet book sales were the topic of a speech given by North Richland Hills librarian, Louanne Noel, who specifically mentioned the Friends of the Arlington Public Library and their success.
The group has received several inquiries and visits from other groups interested in learning more about their operation and FAPL’s book sale president,Jerry Hunt, is available for public speaking engagements.
Mr. Hunt has traveled to several states to speak on the subject of internet book sales and although there is no fee for the service, reimbursement for travel and lodging is requested. He can be contacted at faplinc@access4less.net.
The Friends of the Arlington Public Library was organized in 1987.
Member and former book sale president, Cathy Dietz, found joining FAPL as a way she could easily support the library. Cathy says “The step however, gave me a secondary reward I never anticipated. Jumping into and actually volunteering many hours sorting through old and dusty boxes of books at the warehouse and meeting eager buyers at the sales, brought me hours of enriching and enduring relationships that still exist today.”
Down at FAPL’s warehouse, it really isn’t all work. There are regular coffee breaks, donuts and engaging conversation where the topic usually is, you guessed it, books. And while people volunteer for various reasons, you can be sure that time spent with the Friends is time well spent and that you really are among well… friends.
The Friends Fall book Sale will begin this evening and run through September 24th at the George W. Hawkes Memorial Library 101 E. Abram St. in Arlington, Texas. Anyone interested in purchasing the remaining books from this huge sale, contact Mr. Jerry Hunt.
