N.C. State’s Friends of the Library organization kicked off its 23rd annual book sale Monday to address students’ need to stock up on books for both research and pleasure.
For the past 23 years, Friends of the Library has held the Frank B. Armstrong memorial book sale to generate funds to support NCSU Libraries mission of furthering knowledge in the world.
The book sale is set to take place all week, open to the public from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. in the Brickyard. Students can join Friends of the Library for free and may, therefore, participate.
This event recycles books from the community and uses acquired funds to support library services and collections.
“The purpose of this sale is to generate funds in support of the Libraries mission,” Gregory Raschke, a member of Friends of the Library, said. “The books are supplied by Friends, members and donors to support the sale, and all proceeds go to support strategic priorities in delivering excellent collections and services.”
Through the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, this event enables students and faculty to purchase cheap books in solid condition. By participating, everyone involved with Friends of the Library benefits greatly, Raschke said.
“The Friends of the Library is a group of community members, faculty, students, alumni and corporate partners who support the NCSU Libraries,” Raschke said. “Students, staff and faculty will benefit from enhanced collections and services from the Libraries.”
David Hiscoe, communications director for the NCSU Libraries, also said he is eager for students to get involved this week.
“The Book Sale gives people in the community a way to recycle their books for a good cause, and for the new owners to find some treasures at very reasonable costs,” Hiscoe said. “The sale benefits the students and faculty of the university since it allows us to have better libraries. It also lets students buy books that they probably couldn’t otherwise afford. And it really seems to generate a lot of pleasure for everybody involved. People really look forward to grabbing a full bag of books – some for their research, some for summer reading – for only $5.”
Hiscoe has worked on the book sale for five years, working jobs such as communications director, letting people know about the sale, and as workhands to unload books from trucks.
Knowing that this is a unique and greatly beneficial project for everyone on campus, Hiscoe, Raschke and everyone else involved are always looking for new participants, they said.
“The most obvious way for students to get involved is to come in and find some incredible bargains,” Hiscoe said. “They can also encourage friends and family to donate books for next year’s sale.”
The first day of the sale — when the best selection of books is available, according to Hiscoe — is traditionally reserved for Friends of the Library.
Still, students are able to join the Friends of the Library for free and regardless of experience level at https://ccfn.ncsu.edu/advancement-services/giving/LF.
Students and other volunteers can get involved as patrons of the book sale or by volunteering to work at the sale. Students can volunteer through the Friends of the Library office at 919-515-2841 or by emailing friends_of_the_library@ncsu.edu.
