Over 15,000 books for sale in Kelowna library fundraiser – Okanagan

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to books once they’re no longer in Okanagan libraries, chances are they’re on this sale.

After a pandemic-related hiatus, the Kelowna Friends of the Library book sales began Monday afternoon in support of the Okanagan Regional Library.

“We’re so excited that after a few years we’ll actually be able to give money to the libraries, which is our goal,” said Dorothy Margerison, a Kelowna Friends of the Library volunteer.

Over 15,000 books of all genres are available to fill bookshelves across the Okanagan. Most books cost $1 to $2.

“Some of our books have been retired from the library system itself, and many of our books are donations from the public,” Margerison said.

Margerison said the funds raised will support all branches of the Okanagan Regional Library – “whatever the libraries need that they are struggling to raise funds from their normal budgets for.”

“I suppose you’d think of it as the little extras, but our focus is primarily on the summer reading programs,” Margerison said.

Books from over 700 boxes are for sale. Marigerson said the sale motivates young readers and allows them to buy books at an affordable price.

“I love how these little ones get books and how excited they are to maybe take home six books instead of one.”

Kelowna Friends of the Library is holding another sale in the fall with around 400 boxes of books for sale. Margerison said there are drop-off locations in the Kelowna area for those who want to donate their books.

“We have two donation bins, one at the Parkinson Recreation Center bus loop and one at the Okanagan Regional Library headquarters on KLO Road.”

The fundraiser runs through Wednesday night at the Kelowna Curling Club.