A series of books lining a bookshelf.
The Friends of the Ontario City Library will host a bag sale event at the Ovitt Family Community Library on April 24 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., giving readers the chance to purchase bags of assorted books for $3.
FOCL is a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the Ontario City Library through fundraising events. They operate a small bookstore in the Ovitt Family Community Library which includes all types of books, magazines, movies and more. FOCL gets the majority of their books from the library and donations from the public.
On the “Friends of the Ontario City Library” website they give information about the organization. Through fundraisers, book sales, membership dues and more they are able to provide support for educational and cultural programs for library members of all ages.
The bag sale event provides an opportunity to recycle books that do not meet the criteria for FOCL’s bookstore in hopes the books find a new home. The bags being sold contain a random assortment of books from various genres, including fiction, nonfiction and others. Some bags include books in Spanish to give Spanish speaking customers a chance to purchase bags, as well. A FOCL board member typically oversees the event.
Anne Lawliss, the FOCL liaison, emphasized the importance of finding ways to recycle books. “This event is a great way of recycling and giving people a chance to read books at a cheap price,” Lawliss said.
Beverly Smith, FOCL board secretary and bookstore chair, plays an important role in organizing the sale, including sorting books, packing bags and setting prices. She expressed her enthusiasm for the events she participates in. “I also love reading so I love being able to give books another chance,” Smith said.
While some books that cannot be sold in the bookstore are typically discarded, FOCL actively seeks alternative options, including donating to individuals, community organizations, and more.Besides bag sales, FOCL donates books to children every year during the city of Ontario’s “Reindeer Run,” an annual marathon set in December. This is one of many other ways they find to recycle books.
Proceeds from the bag sale help FOCL support the library by funding the programs at the Ontario City libraries.