By RACHEL BRANT
Staff writer
Marge Dick has been an avid reader since she was a child.
After reading “The Yearling” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, her love for books blossomed.
“That was the start of it,” Dick said. “My dad always read to us every night, so I just love books.”
Dick became a member of Friends of the Silverdale Library (FOSL) shortly after retiring as postmaster at the post office in Keyport where she spent 24 years.
“They say that retirement is wonderful, but I thought it was boring so I asked the library if I could volunteer,” Dick said with a smile.
FOSL was created many years ago to help support the Silverdale branch of the Kitsap Regional Library. FOSL has made curtains, purchased water fountains, water coolers, microwaves and at least one computer for the Silverdale Library.
“We’re a group originating many, many years ago to aid and support the Silverdale Library. Our aim is to do whatever they need done and support them in any way we can,” Dick said. “Our current project is buying and putting in new shelves.”
One way FOSL raises money to purchase items for the library is through a weekly book sale. Dick was the driving force behind the book sale which was first held during Whaling Days in 2000.
“The first sale was on a Saturday and that was during Whaling Days and was a total disaster because no one wanted to buy books, they wanted to have fun,” Dick said with a smile.
The book sale occurred three times a year before the group decided to make it a weekly event.
“And it has been very successful,” Dick said.
The weekly book sale includes hardback and paperback books, magazines, audio and video tapes, CDs and DVDs all donated by community members. Hardback books are 50 cents, paperback books are 25 cents, media items 50 cents and magazines are only 10 cents.
“We need quality donations all the time,” Dick said. “Just bring them to the library anytime, preferably not Tuesdays.”
People may drop off book sale donations to the Silverdale Library, but if someone has a large number of items to donate a FOSL member will pick them up at the person’s home.
“We get all kinds of donations. You’d be surprised at some of the things we get,” Dick said. “Sometimes we get brand new books hot off the press. Right now we have a good selection of war and military books.”
Dick frequently buys books at the book sale to send to her grandsons currently stationed overseas in Iraq. She also buys books to send to her great-grandchildren who are learning to read.
“Sometimes I think I’m my own best customer,” Dick said with a smile.
FOSL currently has less than 20 members, but Dick said they are always looking for new faces to join the group.
“It’s just the most fun to do,” Dick said. “I just love it. I meet a lot of people and people are really nice.”
The FOSL weekly book sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday. The book sale scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26, is cancelled because FOSL is constructing new shelves for the library. For more information about the book sale or FOSL, call the Silverdale Library at (360) 692-2779.
