WEST ORANGE, NJ — The highly anticipated first major book sale for the Friends of the West Orange Public Library proved to be a big success Oct. 1 and 2, netting approximately $4,000 and clearing the library’s crowded basement of roughly 4,000 books.
Friends Vice President Marge Mingin, who managed the sale, told the West Orange Chronicle the Friends also gained many new members through the event, with 21 people joining the group and bringing the total membership up to 107.
Just as special to Mingin was seeing the difference the Friends are making in people’s lives. She said people from all walks of life lined up outside the basement prior to the sale’s start time, eagerly anticipating the moment they could explore the more than 25,000 titles inside. Among the shelves they bonded over their shared love of reading, talking amiably about novels they’d read in high school while scooping up literature to read at home. One woman was so appreciative that she hugged Mingin, telling her that she would not be able to afford as much if she had to shop at a bookstore.
“It was very heartwarming,” Mingin said in an Oct. 3 phone interview. “I came away thinking ‘This is really great. We’re really doing something beneficial.’ And that’s what we’re supposed to do during the course of our life. We’re on a journey, and we try to find the right path. And I think the Friends is a great path to take.”
Friends President Gerald Sweeney also witnessed something inspiring during the sale. He recalled that one day a woman purchased more than two full bags of books — none of them for herself. Instead, she was donating them all to the Renna House so the senior citizens living there would have plenty to read. Sweeney said she also ended up winning one of the Friends’ raffles, though she donated the money right back to the Friends so they could continue to host occasions like the sale.
Sweeney was also moved to see the outpouring of support from West Orange, pointing out that Mayor Robert Parisi, Deputy Mayor Rodolfo Rodriguez and all the Township Council members were among the hundreds of residents who attended the “wonderful community event.” Additionally, he said local restaurants donated food to the gatherings while area vendors also contributed prizes for the raffle. And he said township workers cleaned out all the items stored underneath the library overhang, even power-washing the asphalt so that everything looked pristine for the sale patrons.
Receiving so much support from the community means a lot to the Friends, Sweeney said.
“It’s energizing us,” Sweeney told the Chronicle in an Oct. 3 phone interview. “When you get a turnout like that — people buying, people thanking us, people appreciative, people saying they like working with us — all of those things are energizing. It helps us move forward.”
Library Director David Cubie hopes that the Friends’ momentum continues. Cubie was “thrilled” with the success of the sale, which he said was the first event of its kind in at least 27 years. He was also excited to have visitors see the basement’s potential; he wants to convert the space into a multimedia instruction area for classes on technology, English for speakers of other languages and other subjects. He said the basement was once used to host classes years ago, and he was glad to show people that it still can hold large gatherings such as the sale.
The $4,000 in funds raised through that event have brought the WOPL once step closer to making that basement conversion a reality, Cubie said. But he also said that the library is still months away from having its long-desired instruction space. The director said there are still thousands of unsold books left in the basement. Plus, he said there are stored items — such as old furniture and display cases — that he plans to either throw out or put back into use.
Cubie said he would like to move quickly to bring about the instruction space, but knows it will not happen overnight.
“We need to make sure we do it right,” Cubie told the Chronicle in an Oct. 3 phone interview. “It’s just been a lot of work. And we are dedicated and committed to making this a space that’s workable and useable for the community.”
The library director added that he is sure the Friends will continue to be a big help along the way. According to Sweeney, the group has already raised more than $11,000 through funds raised and donations collected. Mingin said the organization’s goal is to bring in at least $25,000 for the new instruction space.
Another book sale could help them reach that goal, and the Friends are indeed already thinking about doing another one. Sweeney said he hopes to hold a rededication ceremony for the library once its new facade is completed, and he said that might be a good time, but there are currently no firm plans. After countless hours of work preparing for their first sale, Mingin and Sweeney said they are looking forward to a much-needed rest.
Photos Courtesy of Amy Gallatin and Bill Cofone
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