Gigantic Book Sale in Beaufort’s Waterfront Park

For immediate release

Press contacts are Book Sale Co-chairs:

Deb Chevas (630) 204-5597 rrufus02@yahoo.com

Carter Hoyt (404) 936-5695 carterhoyt@comcast.net

(BEAUFORT, SC) The Friends of the Beaufort Library, a non-profit supporting the Beaufort County Library branches North of the Broad River, will again hold its annual blow-out BOOK SALE including a Silent Auction the weekend of September 28-30 at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.

Over 40,000 gently used books, music, movies and audiobooks will be available for sale at bargain prices – hardbacks are $2 and paperbacks are 50 cents or $1. This is an extraordinarily popular event proving that books are not obsolete. Book lovers of all stripes show up to scavenge for their favorites.

The first Friends book sale in 1987 produced $900 in book sales. Now, this fund-raiser generates half the Friends total income which goes right back to the Library – last year helping to renovate the first floor of the branch on Scott Street in downtown Beaufort.

Beaufort County Library Director, Ray McBride, said, “Friends' book sales help generate thousands of dollars each year to support quality adult and children’s programs and purchases of hundreds of new library materials for the library. The library is extremely grateful to the Friends volunteers who receive, sort, and pack these donated books and to the public who donates them. Through the hard work and dedication of the Friends of the Library, the residents of Beaufort County see a huge return on their donation.”

Another source of funds for the Friends is through Memberships, which start at $15. Members have early access to the Book Sale on Friday, September 28th, from 9am to 11am. Members can renew online or anyone can join at the gate Friday morning.

The sale is open to the public Friday from 11am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. In support of the upcoming Beaufort County ban on plastic bags, the Friends will offer paper bags, boxes and cloth totes for sale, but shoppers can bring their own bags.

A highlight of the sale is the Silent Auction of truly unique finds – 1st editions, artwork, and local treasures. Bidding will close on Saturday at 3pm. A list of the auction items is on the Friends website.

All sorts of books will be at the sale from cooking and gardening to the occult and metaphysical. Fiction and mystery are the largest and most popular categories. Rare and Collectible books include a large selection of local authors and topics.

Kinsey Baker, the Friends’ book expert personally examines every book donated. He notes that we received over 2,000 items this year from long time Friends’ volunteer, David Peterson – many detective novels from the 1930s through 1950s and over 500 books about sailing and sailboats. Another major donation was the collection from the estate of renowned local history and archeology buff, Robert Lafaye.

Book Sale Co-Chairs, Deb Chevas and Carter Hoyt, have recruited the Marines to help load and transport books to Waterfront Park. AMIKids will help with setup and closing. Boy Scouts will provide off-hours assistance. The Friends are also very grateful to the City of Beaufort and General Warehouse Company for their sponsorship.

Lolita Huckaby Watson, the Friends Volunteer Coordinator, is lining up over 100 volunteers to serve as cashiers, baggers, table managers and more. According to Lolita, “this is a huge community effort which benefits avid readers and everyone in Beaufort by ensuring our Library remains the best it can be.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit the Friends website.

About The Friends of the Beaufort Library

The Friends of the Beaufort Library: Beaufort, Lobeco and St. Helena Branches is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1979. It is a volunteer organization providing financial support to northern Beaufort County libraries (Beaufort, Lobeco and St. Helena branches) with services to the community through additional funding of programs and projects that enhance learning, leisure and life. Events include the Annual Fall Book Sale book and the Books Sandwiched In review series held on Mondays in the winter at USCB Center for the Arts.

For more information, visit http://friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com or contact Deb Chevas or Carter Hoyt.