James Lobdell visited the Library Fair when he was a kid in the 1960s. He remembers watching his grandmother help organize when the fair was held across from the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish. And now, as the director of the fair, he is able to see his grandchildren, nieces and nephews enjoy the same event.
The fair is celebrating its 56th birthday this summer, and Lobdell said it’s not just a testament to the endurance of books, but a “great comment on sustaining the library even in this recession. And it has taken lot of volunteers to make it happen.”
He said it’s those volunteers who have inspired him to help organize the fair for the last eight years.
The annual Library Fair is Saturday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Village Green and the Friends of Orcas Island Library’s Book Sale will be open from 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.
Sandra Wilson, Orcas Island Library board member, describes the fair as kids running on the green grass, people enjoying delicious treats and vendors chatting with visitors who happily walk out with purchases.
“It’s part of what you do when you live on Orcas,” Wilson said. “It’s a wonderful small town fair.”
There will be an art auction, entertainment, kid’s booths sponsored by the library, and food and craft booths. The Saturday Farmer’s Market in the Village Green will also be open for business.
Book sale
There will be many books available that have been newly donated since the Winter Book Sale in February. They sell for a fraction of their original costs, said Wilson.
She added that it is kind of an island tradition to buy books at the fair for curling up with in the winter and then re-donating them to the library to be put out on the table at next year’s fair. Frequently, people will come to the sale, buy a dozen books and then donate back them to the library, she said. Wilson calls this circle of giving “wonderful.”
Art auction
The art auction will have its own tent at the fair. Inside will be a variety of art pieces that are currently on display in the Madrona Room at the library and can be “silently” bid on now. As with the book sale, all proceeds of the auction go to the library.
The funds are important because it goes toward items and staff support that the library doesn’t have in their budget.
“A whole list of things have been done,” said Wilson. “We [Friends of the Orcas Island Library through funds raised at the fair] made being open on Sunday possible, paid for an intern, provided a CD display and bought shades for the kids’ room.”
Children’s booths
The children’s booths give kids a chance to sell cookies, pictures that they have drawn and made into notecards, games, jewelry and even manicures.
Nothing can cost more than $5 and they keep the money they earn, said Wilson. The children’s librarian Nita Couchman helps the kids run the booths from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. To reserve a kids’ booth, sign up at the libary or call Couchman at 376-4985.
For Wilson, the fair is a fun event, but more than that is supports a place that gives the community a great deal and asks for little in return.
“I think the library is one of the centers for the community,” said Wilson. “It’s a beautiful, pleasant space and costs patrons nothing. ”
