this is a copy of the newsletter which was mailed in September, 2011

Friends of the WVPL at Blue Bell Newsletter 
650 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422 
Kay Woodland, Editor, Susan Lane, Composer     September 2011

YOU ARE PROBABLY ASKING “Isn’t it about time for another used book sale?” and the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Fall signals the end of some delights and the beginning of others (school’s in!). Loading up on indoor entertainment at bargain prices is one of the treats. We have a plentiful supply of gently used books, games, puzzles and classical CDs that will help banish rainy – and snowy – day blues. Games and puzzles will even get you through power failures if you keep candles and flashlights handy. 

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR – FRIDAY OCTOBER 14 – TUESDAY OCTOBER 18

As our “regulars” know, FRIDAY  is preview night for MEMBERS ONLY from 7 to 9 pm (admission at the side door by the flagpole). We welcome new members and renewals that evening and throughout the sale.  

For the other four days, the hours are: SATURDAY – 10AM TO 4:30 PM;  SUNDAY – 1 TO 4 PM; MONDAY – 10 AM TO 6 PM; TUESDAY “Bag Day” 10 AM TO 5:30 PM (fill our bags with regular-priced articles and pay only $4.00 per bag). Let us close the doors and breathe for 30 minutes, then come back for the “freebie hour”, 6 TO 7 PM. For the final hour, bring your tote bags, laundry baskets, footlockers or whatever you can carry to load up our leftovers to fill your shelves or donate to your church or club. Whatever does not move that last hour, we send to prisons and veteran’s organizations so we can start our next sale with a fresh collection. Remember that WE MUST CLOSE AT 7 SHARP so we can restore the Community Room for other uses. 

WHAT ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? - Individual membership is only $10.00 per year; family membership $15.00; and Special Memberships are available at $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00.  Admission to the preview is only one of the benefits of membership. The satisfaction of knowing you are helping keep our library top-drawer, association with some of the community’s finest citizens and being on the mailing list (e-mail or snail-mail, your choice) for our terrific newsletters make it a worthwhile investment. If you want the newsletter by e-mail, please add your e-mail address to your application form and put BBFriends@wvpl.org in your address book. 

LOBBY SALES ARE A SEPARATE ENTITY – We offer a selection of hardcover and paperback books in the lobby area every day, but the proceeds should be turned in at the Circulation Desk even during the Used Book Sales. The library staff graciously helps us so that we can keep records of the two operations separate. It works for us and we hope it is not inconvenient for you.   

FUN AT THE DISPLAY CASE – The display case should never be passed by. There have been a wondrous variety of historic, informational, collectible and hobby displays over the years. The FRIENDS decorate the case for the month of October with offerings for a Silent Auction of Extra Special Books and Materials. Don’t forget to check this out; you may find something you have been seeking for years. There is a booklet placed outside the case for bids. If you really want an item, check the booklet frequently to make sure you are not outbid. What’s another dollar or two if it helps the library and gets you what you want?     

THANK YOU, SPECIAL MEMBERS AND GENUARDI SHOPPERS! -  We treasure all our FRIENDS, but are especially grateful to those who go the extra mile by taking Special Memberships or assigning a portion of their Genuardi’s purchases to us both make filling the Director’s “Wish List” easier and we can do it earlier with those extra funds.

If you have a Genuardi’s membership card, you can join the program by filling out one of the forms displayed in the Lobby Sales area and handing it to a staff member at the Circulation Desk. We’ll do the rest of the work. 

VOLUNTEERS AND PATRONS TAKE A BOW – These sales are a lot of work. All who help sell and those who come to buy make it all worthwhile. Since 1994, we have been working together with very satisfying results. 

 In the 2010-2011 season, the FRIENDS have been able to donate $25,571.00 to help bring in up-to-date equipment and materials. And, with your help, our donations over 17 years have totaled $347,570.00!  So pat yourselves on the back; you are among the reasons the WVPL is the greatest library around. 

(If you notice certain differences in this newsletter, such as absence of artistic touches and real organization, it is because our composer Susan Lane has been on a long overdue and well deserved vacation, but our publication deadline could not wait for her return.)