Looking for used books? Check these Livingston County libraries first
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Used books are finding new homes year-round thanks to volunteers at district libraries in Livingston County.
Brighton District Library and Cromaine Library in Hartland sell books throughout the year to benefit their organizations, with help from members of Friends of the Brighton District Library and Friends of Cromaine Hartland Library.
“It’s a dedicated group of volunteers,” said Cromaine Director Sarah Neidert. “I can't say enough about the Friends and how supportive they are.”
When to purchase used books
Patrons can visit the Book Nook whenever the Cromaine Library is open. Library hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays.
The Brighton District Library Bookstore is also open whenever the library open. Library hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
“We have very dedicated volunteers, so at least six days a week, there's somebody in there filling the shelves,” said Marsha Luetjen, president of the Friends of the Brighton District Library.
What to know before donating
Luetjen said book donations from the public are collected from 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays in front of the Bookstore. The Brighton Friends try to limit donations to three large bags or boxes. Donations cannot be musty, smoky, or in poor condition.
The Friends are also unable to accept encyclopedias, Readers’ Digest condensed books, magazines, textbooks, VHS tapes and music cassette tapes.
For larger contributions, Luetjen said volunteers will make arrangements for pick-up.
The Cromaine Library accepts donations during normal library business hours on the cart next to the Book Nook on the first floor. All books should be in good condition — free of mold, damage and dirt. There's a limit of six grocery-sized bags or small boxes per donation.
“People can't bring 10 boxes at a time, but we take whatever people bring in generally,” Neidert said. “They store them, they sort them. They actually take them off-site to a storage unit and collect them and then they bring them back three times a year (for book sales) and organize them.”
Those with larger donations can contact Liz Welch at lizwelch@cromaine.org to schedule a date and time for drop-off.
Prices
Neidert said adult books cost $1, while children's books at 50 cents apiece. A few unique items may also be priced differently based on rarity.
Books at the Brighton Library Bookstore are also inexpensive, at $1 each for hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks. Children and teen media are also 50 cents. Luetjen said they offer puzzles and games, which may cost a few extra dollars.
The benefits of donation
Neidert said book sales benefit the library’s programs and extra costs not included in the main budget.
She added the store serves as a place for the public to send their unwanted books, preventing them from ending up in the garbage.
“It’s kind of a community service in that regard, as well,” Neidert said.
Neidert said used books can be helpful for young families.
“When I had smaller children, it was really great to get book sale books because they could chew on them and throw them at the wall. I do find there’s a big need … (families) can get books from the library, but they can stock the home library (with used books) and be less worried about wear and tear.”
Future book sales
The Brighton District Library hosts semi-annual book sales in the spring and fall. The Cromaine Library hosts sales three times a year, in the winter, spring and fall.
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Anyone interested in becoming a member can visit brightonlibrary.info/fol or cromaine.org/friends-of-cromaineweb.
The Howell Carnegie Library also hosts regular book sales. The next date is 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Learn more at howelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/book-donations-sales.
— Madeline Warren is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Looking for used books? Check these Livingston County libraries first
