The Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s 68th Annual Book Sale at the McKinley High School cafeteria takes place June 20 to 27, raising funds for the state’s 50 public libraries.
Money raised from the sale of books, CDs, DVDs, manga, comics and art goes to support the summer, fall and spring reading programs; grants for librarians and technology improvements; discretionary funds for library supplies and more.
Friends of the Library executive director Nainoa M. Mau provides a look at the dramatic numbers associated with the popular event.
Amount raised in 2014: $220,000
The most paid last year for a book was $5,000, for "Poemes de Charles dʻOrleans: Manuscripts and Illustrations," hand-illustrated by Henri Mattisse.
This year a number of titles are valued at about $500, including many illustrated by Jean Charlot and rare Hawaiiana books. Valuable books for sale include two copies of "The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders," published by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in 1925 (price to be determined) and a 1976 edition of "Kane‘ohe: A History of Change," by Devaney, Kelly, Lee, and Motteler for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers priced at $500.@Facts — numbers1:400-500
Number of volunteers who work on the book sale, from setup to cleanup: 400-500
Throughout the year, 75 to 100 volunteers work to sort and price books in preparation for the annual sale. They include retired professionals and educators, and students looking to fulfill volunteer requirements. All told, they donate an average of 10,000 hours annually.
Approximate number of books and other media brought to the sale each year: $50,000
More than 90 pallets of materials are brought to McKinley High School for the sale, requiring the services of a moving company.
Each year, 75 to 80 percent of the books are sold. In previous years, approximately 30,000 leftover books were donated to Palama Settlement’s lending library or to various Rotary Club projects; sent overseas to libraries in Micronesia, Samoa and the Philippines; or given to other organizations. This year, almost all the leftover books will go to Micronesian libraries. Some media will go to the juvenile detention center.
Average price of a book at the sale, compared with $20 and up for a new copy: $2-$3
The minimum price for books in most sections is just $1. Some children’s books are even less to ensure that all shoppers can afford a book. But it is also common to find $50 books in the Hawaiiana and Art sections. Volunteers try to price titles to ensure they will sell while trying to make the most money for the libraries.
Estimated number of shoppers in 2014: 15,000
More than 3,000 customers attended the first day of the sale last year, buying 27,000 to 30,000 books.
Check it out; book sale hours are:
» June 20: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
» June 21: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
» June 22-25: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
» June 26: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
» June 27: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For information visit friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org.
