Community Corner
Loudoun Library Foundation's Used Book Sale Exceeds Expectations
Last weekend, Smarts Mill Middle School was transformed into the largest book store in Loudoun to help raise money for the county's libraries.
Last weekend, the Loudoun Library Foundation held their at . The highly-anticipated event is a Loudoun book lover's paradise.
Held over three days, the school is transformed into the largest book store in Loudoun, with one gym dedicated to non-fiction, another gym dedicated to fiction, and an entire cafeteria full of children's books and DVDs. That's not even including the tables of DVDs, CDs and records that lined the hallways.
Items range from 50 cents to $2 during the first two days, but on the final day of the book sale, shoppers can load up paper bags with anything they'd like for just $10 per bag. Volunteers staff the event, handing out bags, taking money, helping shoppers find their way around, and handing each child a ticket good for one free book upon entering.
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While there were certainly casual shoppers, the rooms were filled with people who planned out what they were buying and when. "Yesterday was Fiction day," Leesburg resident Elizabeth Engle said. "Today is Non-Fiction." She was also planning on returning on bag day to finish up her shopping.
It was both dedicated and novice attendees who helped push profits higher than last year's book sale. According to Mary Jane Mitchell of the Loudoun Library Foundation, this year's book sale raised $44,666, a 23.8% increase over last year's sales.
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"We could not have done this without the large turn out and without great volunteers," Mitchell said. "Over 3,608 people came to our event to find great bargains on used books."
Money raised at the annual book sale is used to support Loudoun's libraries throughout the year. Specifically,Mitchell says, "Some of the funds are used for summer reading programs; other funds are used for grants to various libraries for special program requests."
If you'd like to participate in organizing next year's sale, or in any of the other LLF activities throughout the year, Mitchell says that they're currently looking for volunteers. "The foundation seeks members with interest and experience who are passionate about libraries and thoughtful in considering issues."
If you'd like to apply to be a member, the application can be found here: http://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=118
