A new addition to Circuit avenue, Books Among Friends, has opened to raise money for the Oak Bluffs Public Library. The store offers used books for adults, kids and teens and is run by the Library Friends Oak Bluffs, an organization dedicated to providing support to the town’s library.
“This is a whole new venture,” said Alison Cohen, the president of Library Friends Oak Bluffs. “It really is a great way to reach out to people and put books in people’s hands at a very inexpensive price.”
Books Among Friends is located at 47 Circuit avenue, in the space occupied in the summer by Sofie’s Summer Shop.
Sofie Green, proprietor of Sofie’s Summer Shop, first spoke with library staff last spring about letting them use the store during the off-season.
“I know they need the funding,” Ms. Green said. “I want libraries to stay around, I think they are a great third space. I grew up with my mom going to them often, she was a single mom and we spent a lot of time in local libraries.”
Books Among Friends will be open throughout the winter, and is a new facet of the fundraising done by Library Friends Oak Bluffs. The organization also runs the book nook at the library, and hosts silent auctions and solicits donations throughout the year.
The money raised by Library Friends Oak Bluffs bolsters the library’s annual budget provided by the town. According to Ms. Cohen, the organization raised $24,000 for programming and other expenses last year, including purchasing books and items for library activities such as rakes and baskets for clamming, and tap shoes for dance events.
The store’s inventory is made up of books culled from the library’s collection and donated copies. Book clubs have contributed copies of bestsellers as well.
“That has given us some really fabulous copies of books,” Ms. Cohen said, adding that is rare to be able to find a copy of a bestseller for $3.
Books Among Friends hosts events at the Circuit avenue location as well. In October it a presented a silent book club, which brings people together to read in community. Ms. Cohen says they are planning to do it again this winter, and add a puzzle swap.
“The librarians are so talented. It’s a joy to be able to tell them, here, have the money,” Ms. Cohen said. “I don’t think people realize the treasure that exists in their backyard.”
The Books Among Friends is located at 47 Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs. The store is open Mondays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
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