Long line of customers awaited first-ever Mt. Prospect Library Garage Book Sale
The line of people waiting for the first Mount Prospect Friends of the Library Garage Book Sale on Saturday, June 26, was so long it ran from the lower level of the garage, where the entrance was, and snaked up to the second level and around the outside of the garage.
"There were so many people, we just decided to come Sunday instead - and we're happy we did," said one Mount Prospect family of five who bought three bags full of books, CDs and more.
Friends of the Library officials said the weekend book sale, the first held in 17 months, was a great success.
"I can tell you we made over $3,000 for the Mount Prospect Library Saturday alone," Friends of the Library President Pat Klawitter said. "What was amazing is, in addition to the indoor Friends Room of books for sale off the garage, we set up 24 tables Friday night in the garage adjacent to it. By the end of Saturday, we were down to only eight tables. This Sunday afternoon, there is a lot of empty space now on those tables."
"All in all, this weekend's sale was a success," Klawitter said. "In addition, we have gotten a lot of questions about when we'll be accepting donations. We will make sure we let folks know as soon as possible. We plan to have the bookshelves in the Friends Room fixed first. Perhaps late summer we could accept donations and get ready for a fall book sale. We urge folks to keep checking our website at www.friendsofMPPL.org for updates."
"I do want to thank everyone who came to the sale, our first outdoor sale ever, the volunteers who made it possible and the library staff," Klawitter said.
People of all ages and from around Cook County shopped at the sale. One young boy had a bit of a problem hoisting a large book on vampires onto the cashier's table; exclaiming it is the first book he is going to read of all the books they bought that day.
One family was purchasing a couple of cookbooks since, the mother said, one son's homework assignment for the summer is to write a book about international food.
"So, each night we try a dish from another country, draw pictures and take a photo for his book," she said.
Her three young sons said it is a lot of work but fun, noting Italy was next.
Among the crowd were several history majors, World War II buffs, shipbuilding experts, architectural historians, teachers, writers, movie monster and superhero fans all finding books or CDs or DVDs to fit their needs. Everything was either 25 or 50 cents or a full library bag for $5.
"I really like having the book sale in the garage," one shopper noted. "It's kind of like being at a farmers market. I hope they consider doing it here again."
"There is a chance we will do it in the garage again," Klawitter said. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback so stay tuned."
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