Stockbridge — The Stockbridge Library raised approximately $20,000 at its annual book sale, held from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10 on the library lawn.
Hundreds of residents came over to the library each day to purchase books in support of the library and its programs.
Via email, Director Wendy Pearson wrote that the sale is one of their most important fundraising events.
“Unlike many area public libraries, in which the library budget is funded fully by the municipality, The Stockbridge Library Association must raise 60 percent of its operating budget each year,” Pearson wrote. “The remaining 40 percent comes from the town of Stockbridge. We use the book sale proceeds to purchase books, help fund our summer reading program for youth, and support our programming throughout the year.”
Pearson wrote that library programs financially supported by the book sale include youth story times, lectures, art and STEM activities for children, and author talks.
“Without an event like the annual book sale, it would be hard to run the library,” Library Board of Trustees member KellyAnne McGuire said. “Financially, I think we’re doing very well. We got some good grants recently that helped with our archives and some of the renovation challenges that we have had with the building. We’re in good shape, but the more financial support for the library, the better.”
Despite books becoming more and more readily available digitally, McGuire said that she believes that physical books would continue to be published.
“I think that a book can feed a soul,” McGuire said. “Literacy is very important and you can learn a lot through books. It’s a distraction from our world. There’s also a tactile and visceral experience when it comes to a book. There are always memories associated with books that will never go away.”
For more information about The Stockbridge Library visit their website.
