The Mayville Library will hold its 40th book sale Friday and Saturday.
The sale is the longest-running book sale in Chautauqua County. The Mayville Library Association members, in early 1972, were aware of the need for funding for the library and decided to launch the sale. They chose the weekend after the Fourth of July and worked tediously during the months leading up to their goal. With help from the local media, they put out the word that contributions were needed and were overjoyed when a few thousand books were donated.
The fun part was each association member wrote down a guess at how much they would make after two days of selling used books at low prices. Each guess was placed in an envelope kept hidden until after the sale. The women gathered at one member's house the following Monday to open each guess. Lo and behold! The proceeds were more than anyone expected, which was a signal that this should be an annual event.
Article Photos
The Mayville Library Book Sale will celebrate its 40th anniversary during the 2012 sale Friday and Saturday at the library on S. Erie Street. Looking over some of the 5000 books for sale are the Celebration Committee members, from left, Mary Carlson, Melissa Bartok, library director; and Ann Weidman, chair. Absent from photo, Ann Walsh.
The 2012 sale will be inside the library from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Prices range from 50 cents to $4.
All those who attend will be able to take a chance on winning one of the books for sale. One name will be drawn every hour; with each winner invited to choose the sale book of choice.
Customers will be able to choose from any of 5,000 purchases, which include fiction and non-fiction; children's and young adults; best sellers, large print, audio books, movies and new and gift quality.
Beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, there will be a bag sale, each bag costing $3.
The coordinator of the book sale is Melissa Bartok, who is also the library director; assisted by Dianne Goodrich. Volunteers are the Mayville Library board, which includes Tom McCann, president; Marguerite Rammacher, vice president; Roger Stacie, secretary; Jean Lobaugh, treasurer; Jenice Dechario, Drew and Susan Heitzenrater, Jim and Shirley Burnett, Brenda Klossner, Linda Wieland, Evelyn Thorndike, Connie Burg, Paul and Kim Benson and Marsha Pritz.
Celebration Committee members are Ann Weidman, chair; Mary Carlson, Ann Walsh and Mrs. Bartok.