MLT Library to hold used book sale and open house Saturday

By Doug Petrowski

The Mountlake Terrace Library will be holding a used book sale and open house on Saturday, June 8. The book sale is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; the library open house is set for noon-2 p.m.

All proceeds from the book sale go to finance various programs and events at the library through the non-profit Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library organization. “This June book sale is our annual major fundraising effort to pay for library programming,” said Friends of the MLT Library President Valentina Visscher. “The many library programs we pay for is (the) main focus for our budget.”

“Our goal as the Friends of the MLT Library has been to build literacy by getting children of all ages excited about books and reading,” Visscher continued. “We pay for library programs such as Book Buddies, which pairs reluctant third grade readers with specially trained teens to build an interest in reading with a mentor.”

Some library programs include booking of various speakers and performers, which can be an expensive proposition for the volunteer Friends group. “The average cost for a performer for a children’s program is about $300, so we strive to raise as much as we can through our ongoing book sale as well as our annual June book sale,” Visscher added.

The Friends of the MLT Library has found fundraising more challenging the past few years as proceeds from its ongoing book sale dwindle and local used book stores are buying fewer books from Sno-Isle Libraries. Despite obstacles the group says it is determined to reach its goals.

“Our small group has done very well considering that the struggling economy has affected all 501(c) 3 non-profit organizations; further the used book business has struggled with e-books and other devices that appear to be the growing way to build book collections,” Visscher explained.

As more people are purchasing and using electronic readers, the Mountlake Terrace Library continues to send its message that libraries still have relevance and worth to the public. The open house on Saturday, hosted by the Mountlake Terrace Library Board, gives staff and supporters the opportunity to share all that the Mountlake Terrace Library has to offer. Staff will be available to provide tours and directions of the many services offered by the library. Children’s activities and serving of light refreshments are also scheduled.

The Mountlake Terrace Library is located at 23300-58th Ave. W. You can obtain more information about either the book sale or the open house here or call 425-776-8722.

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