Friends of the Library seeks new home

For many book lovers in the county, Kewaunee's Friends of the Library monthly used book sale at Hillcrest School has been a "must attend" event.

But with the demolition of the old school scheduled for this summer, the Friends of the Library is seeking a new home.

With thousands of donated books in their approximately 1,400 square-foot foot space at the school, the group is hoping to find comparable, donated space somewhere in the city limits.  They would also like to partner with the used clothing store, currently housed at Hillcrest, which also needs to find new space.

Mary Wolske, a member of the friend's group, said that they were particularly seeking space in downtown Kewaunee where the group could possibly expand the hours of its sale to tie in with civic, holiday and seasonal special events held downtown..

The group has been holding used book sales at Hillcrest School since 1996, when the late Glennie Wilding-White proposed that they hold monthly sales. Prior to 1996, the group held the used book sale twice a year in the basement of the Kewaunee Public Library.

The group raises about $2,000 annually for the library, which has helped to buy books and DVDs, computers and printers, and display racks, as well as provided funds for summer reading programs, book signings, Kewaunee High School yearbooks and many other projects.

The Friends also provide children's books for the school supply sale each August, including Spanish-English dictionaries.   It distributes used books to nursing homes, the county jail and the Ag Heritage Museum, often rotating the selection, said Min Townsend, a member of the group.

Customers at the book sales range from individuals who buy multiple books to teachers and school representatives from the Kewaunee, Door and Green Bay areas.   Many of the used books are donated to the library by the public and estate sales.

An individual or business who wants to donate space could receive a tax write-off, said Mary Wolske, a member of the group.  The Friends of the Library is also seeking financial donations and volunteers to help with a move to new space.

The Friends of the Library is a 501 (c)(3) organization.   Anyone who has space to donate or would like to make a donation to the Friends of the Library can send their donation to Friends of the Library, c/o Kewaunee Public Library, 822 Juneau St. Kewaunee, WI 54216.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Friends of the Library seeks new home