Library sale got help from students

On Wednesday, April 28, seven high school volunteers gathered at the Thompson Falls Public Library to help organize books for the book sale that weekend. "They probably saved us many hours of work," said Crystal Buchanan, the library director. The sale involved books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and more. Items were sold either individually or in bags and the sale stretched into the next week, as hundreds of books had been collected for the sale throughout the year.

Maggie Leaver, one of the volunteers, said she is a very avid reader, and heard about the opportunity to help through a friend who works throughout the week as the high school volunteer at the library, Alessi Rolando. Both students are juniors and helped Wednesday for a couple of hours starting at 4 p.m. Leaver said she loves reading because "I feel like I go inside of the world," and "I decided that it would be a fun opportunity," speaking about volunteering. Another volunteer, Jack Williams, who is a sophomore, said "Alessi told us about the opportunity, and we all thought it would be a lot of fun." Williams loves reading books with a mystical theme. Alek Sweeden, a sophomore, also heard about the volunteer effort from Rolando, saying "we all really like doing stuff like this so we hopped onto the opportunity quick!"

All the money raised in the sale goes into the library, and Buchanan has several ideas on projects to improve the library space. One such idea she plans to run by the board is to improve the children's and junior/teens areas. In the children's area, Buchanan wants to "bring the mural out into the space" by including a few props that match the environment portrayed by the mural on the wall. With a garden reading nook theme, Buchanan plans to purchase a carpet that looks like cobblestone, plants and more. Buchanan also is considering bean bags for the junior/teen area, as well as building several more reading nooks and spaces around the library for customers. She is also looking into getting a couple banners for future book sales to help with advertising them to the community.

For those wanting to get more involved with the library or to help sponsor, Buchanan suggests joining the Friends of the Thompson Falls Public Library. This is a nonprofit that benefits the library and the community. Members donate $5 to $50 a year, depending on the level of activity. The group has meetings and promotes literacy and reading in the Thompson Falls community. More information can be found by contacting the library at 827-3547 or by simply going in during operating hours. The Library is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library is located at 911 W. Main Street.