By DENISE HERSCHEL
Summer is the perfect time to indulge in one’s reading pleasure whether it be fiction, non-fiction or autobiographical. And with additional library patrons visiting the Neptune library during these busy months, the Friends of the Neptune Library are holding their Second Annual Unique Boutique Book Sale.
The event is scheduled for Fri., Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sat., Aug. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The ocean-themed event will feature not only adult and children’s books but plants, board games, nautical treats and handcrafted items for purchase.
“We encourage people to stop by to see what will be on display at our fundraiser,” said Hope Yanczewski, a Friends of the Neptune Library member. “In staying with this year’s beach theme of ‘Seas the Day,’ there will be nautical edibles and sea shell wreaths as well as other ocean inspired items for sale. Rather than the typical book sale, we have chosen to make this a fun and unusual event. For those who enjoy crafting, there will be a do-it-yourself table with items such as knitting needles, yarn, jewelry making supplies, and scrap booking paper.”
The children’s table will feature jigsaw puzzles, games and beach pails filled with items for young beach goers. On the garden table there will be gardening books as well as house plants for sale.
Yanczewski said that this annual fundraiser enables the Friends group to met their goal of contributions to the library.
“In March of this year, the group purchased the initial membership in the library addition of Ancestry.com to assist people in researching their heritage. An important role of the Friends is to participate in projects that will benefit the community in educational and interesting ways,” she added.
Yanczewski, who has been a Friends member for two years, said she has always loved books and decided that when she had more time to volunteer, she wanted to lend her support to her local library.
“The library in turn supports our community in so many ways.I know that our Friends group has grown not only in the number of members but we are now offering trips, workshops, and a continuing series of talks,” she said.
And with continued interest in the group within the past year, the public’s perception of what it is to be a Friends member has changed.
“People are realizing what an active, diverse group of people we are. Many of our members volunteer with other groups as well and we learn what they are doing in the community. Many people do not know that libraries across the country have a Friends group and can join wherever they live,” she said.
Yanczewski believes that the Friends group is important to all libraries with one of their goals being “to promote the mission of the library.”
Membership in the Friends of the Neptune Library is open to all and one does not need to be a Neptune resident to join. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. at the library. Meetings are not held in July and August. For more information email neptunelibraryfriends@gmail.co
