Virginia Beach Library Store Used Book Sales have raised
$1 million for Programs
By Stacy Parker, Virginian Pilot Staff writer
It’s not uncommon to find old and rare books at the shop run by The Friends of the Virginia Beach Library.
Etain Rooney first spotted the book sandwiched between two other hardcovers, each with a blue card sticking out of the pages. “A Bear Called Paddington,” printed for the seventh time in 1958, appeared a little grubby but in good condition. Rooney handed it to her mother, whose eyes grew wide. “I love Paddington,” Celeste Rooney said. “I’m definitely getting this.”
Children’s literature, modern day spy novels, cookbooks and more can be found at Friends Book Shop inside the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, tucked behind the information desk.
Volunteers with The Friends of Virginia Beach Public Library run the shop and donate nearly all of the proceeds to library programs for children, teens and adults. Over the past 10 years, just over $1 million has been raised from sales at the Central Library shop and smaller “book nooks” in each of the city’s other public libraries.
The inventory mostly comes from people who donate books, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles to the library, said shop manager Judy Harbison.
Thousands of books have come by way of families cleaning out a home library. Volunteers sort through the donated items weekly. Every once in a while, an unusual book turns up, and the nonprofit sells it online to get the most bang for the buck.
A copy of “Profiles in Courage,” signed by John F. Kennedy, once raked in $2,400, Harbison said. Last year, the group donated a rare book by Thomas Jefferson to the Jefferson Library at Monticello.
Celeste Rooney likes to browse the “blue card books,” which are often older, rare and priced higher than the $3 hardcovers or $2 paperbacks in the store. The Paddington book was $8.
“You can find little treasures here that you can’t find anywhere else,” Rooney said.
Shoppers can take advantage of rotating discounts throughout out the year such as a recent buy-one-get-one free deal. A clearance sale will be held this month.
Janice Morreale and granddaughter Ava, 3, look at books at the
Friends Book Shop at the Virginia Beach Central Library.
Children’s books are occasionally four for $1, and appeale to teachers who stock up for their classrooms.
Historical, nonfiction and do-it-yourself books also are popular. Books that haven’t sold after several months are donated to facilities caring for older people and to teens at The Barry Robinson Center, according to Harbison.
Friends Book Shop recently showcased several 2023 titles for $5 each, but don’t blink. New ones tend to fly off the shelves.
“It’s a good chance it won’t be here when you come back,” Harbison said.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
