STAR-BULLETIN
More than 100,000 books are typically available at the Friends of the Library book sale.
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Book sale helps love of printed word thrive
Star-Bulletin staff
In these days of electronic communication, where almost every amusement can be delivered to the computer screen, it's nice to know that words on paper still live.
If you doubt that, head to the Friends of the Library of Hawai'i book sale, an annual event that draws thousands of book lovers to the bargains and rare finds offered for sale at the McKinley High School cafeteria.
The sale ends Sunday, and it is closed on Thursday and Friday, so you've really only got a few days of hunting left.
The event is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Saturday is half-off day, and on Sunday all books are 50 cents.
Along with books of all types, the sale offers a separate tent on the lawn selling records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, VHS tapes and sheet music - in a partnership with Hawaii Public Radio.
And a "glass-case" category offers rare first editions.
All proceeds benefit local libraries. Call 536-4174.
Sorting and setting up the book sale requires an army of volunteers, many of whom return year after year. Among them is Cornelia DeDona, who volunteers all year at the Friends of the Library warehouse. Her work inspired her to write this poem.
BOOK MAKEOVERS
Cornelia DeDona
They wait in a huddle and gasp
at the dreaded, discard aisle.
Later heaped on a metal cart
beside a row of long tables while we sort,
through the endless stacks; of yellow and brown dusty pages,
caked with dead bug carcasses and their debris.
Some with tender remarks to family and friends,
an occasional, faded photo or curious bookmarker.
Now and again are green notes with George or Abe's face,
or a rare volume, to be held in high esteem.
With care we wipe away the grime, mend the tears,
unfold corners and cut out each past record,
as we scarf up snippets of data,
intoolittletime.
A small calculation, marked with a Venus red pencil
on the first available page
in the upper right hand corner.
Then in a cardboard box, with bold black letters
and brightly colored tape on opposite corners.
Counted
carted away
stacked
and stored.
Polished and poised
as they wait
for the eminent sale,
where they will be snapped up again.