Library News and Notes: Friends of the Library book sale: New place, more space

Friends of the Library have come up with a solution to the dilemma of books everywhere, lining every inch of space in the Browser’s Corner, filling boxes that take up most of the library auditorium stage and often loaded into carts along the walls. With new materials arriving daily, there was a pressing need to accommodate the generous donations from patrons and to create a welcome space for book sales.The new location for the well-attended book sales is in the Hot Springs Center at 2311 N. Carson St., behind Denny’s and near the Hobby Store. There is plenty of parking off Hot Springs both in front of and behind the center. Patrons who frequent the Browsers Corner in the library need not worry. The popular book store will continue to be open six days a week.The book sales have been crowded and many times the merchandise couldn’t be accessed. The “regular” library is also filled to capacity and the auditorium seems cluttered and incapable of accommodating large crowds. That prompted the Friends to begin a search for a location that would allow them to store and display all of the donated materials and be roomy enough to have wide aisles for monthly book sales. The new location will be great for customers and will cut out much of the labor-intensive work that volunteers have been doing before each sale. Book Lovers Book Sale Book sales will be open to the public one weekend every month in the new location, starting with the February Book Lovers Sale. A members-only preview will be held from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14. If you are not a member you may join at the door. The regular sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16. Watch for the sign on the book warehouse location door to find dates and times for future book sales.Mental Wellness SeminarSince February is often associated with love and romance, Kristopher Komarek will present a seminar entitled, “Our Shared Romance — What two Can Do” at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in the auditorium. If the title is any indication, participants might pick up some delightful ideas to add a “spark” to a Valentine’s Day celebration.Valentine CraftsA free Valentine's Day Craft Program will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Sign up for this free program at the youth department desk. Materials will be provided, and the program should give attendees a great opportunity to make beautiful, homemade cards and gifts.BRIC ClassesThe BRIC opened Feb. 1 as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site to help prepare income tax returns for low- to moderate-income taxpayers and assistance will be available through April 15. Business classes for the first part of February include: Starting a Business 101, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12; Marketing 101, from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13; and Finance 101, from noon until 1:30 on Thursday, Feb. 14.