Virginia Beach library store used books sales have raised $1 million for programs
VIRGINIA BEACH — Etain Rooney spotted the book first sandwiched between two other hardcovers, each with a blue card sticking out of the pages.
“A Bear Called Paddington,” printed for the seventh time in 1958, appeared a little grubby but in good condition.
Rooney handed it over to her mother whose eyes grew wide.
“I love Paddington,” Celeste Rooney said. “I’m definitely getting this.”
Children’s literature, modern day spy novels, cookbooks and more can be found at Friends Book Shop inside the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, tucked behind the information desk.
Volunteers with The Friends of Virginia Beach Public Library run the shop and donate nearly all of the proceeds to library programs for children, teens and adults. Over the last 10 years, a total of $1 million has been raised from sales at the Central Library shop and smaller “book nooks” in each of the city’s other public libraries.
The inventory mostly comes from people who donate books, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles to the library, said shop manager Judy Harbison.
Thousands of books have come by way of families cleaning out a home library. Volunteers sort through the donated items weekly. Every once in awhile, an unusual book turns up, and the nonprofit sells it online to get the most bang for the buck.
A copy of “Profiles in Courage,” signed by John F. Kennedy, once raked in $2,400, Harbison said. Last year, the group donated a rare book by Thomas Jefferson to the Jefferson Library at Monticello.
Celeste Rooney likes to browse the “blue card books,” which are often old, rare ones priced higher than the $3 hardcovers or $2 paperbacks in the store. The Paddington book was marked for $8.
“You can find little treasures here that you can’t find anywhere else,” Rooney said.
Shoppers can take advantage of rotating discounts throughout out the year like the recent buy-one-get-one free deal. A clearance sale will be held in January.
Children’s books are consistently four for $1, and have appealed to teachers who stock up for their classrooms. Historical, nonfiction and do-it-yourself books are also popular. Books that haven’t sold after several months are donated to elderly care facilities and to teens at The Barry Robinson Center, according to Harbison.
Friends Book Shop recently showcased several 2023 titles for $5 each, but don’t blink. New ones tend to fly off the shelves.
“It’s a good chance it won’t be here when you come back,” Harbison said.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
