/Fort Myers Beach News
Event was rescheduled after cold weather last month
The Fort Myers Beach Library’s Giant Book Sale returns Saturday and Sunday for the first time since before Hurricane Ian. File photo
The Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Library Giant Book Sale will return this Saturday and Sunday after having been postponed last month due to the cold weather.
The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days.
The book sale will be the first at the Fort Myers Beach Public Library since Hurricane Ian.
Thousands of books will be for sale in what Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Library Secretary Jan Fleming expects will be one of the largest book sale events in the library’s history. There will also be CD’s and DVD’s for sale.
The cost of the books, CD’s and DVD’s will be $10 per bag. “So many of the books are just like new,” Fleming said. “It’s the best bargain on the island.”
The Friends of the Library will be providing bags or you can bring your own.
The library, which reopened last year, received many donations after Hurricane Ian. The Friends of the Library helped sponsor the grand reopening of the library last year, providing lunches to attendees who attended the grand reopening.
Approximately 9,500 books, DVD’s, CD’s and other items were destroyed by the 14-feet high storm surge of Hurricane Ian in 2022. Every book on the first two levels of shelving for every bookcase on the first floor was ruined. That includes books that had previously been donated by the community to the library for its November book sale fundraiser.
The good news is about 75,000 books and other items survived Ian.
Since then, the library has replenished its shelves and along with donations over the last three years, is in a place where the “Giant Book Sale” can handle the overflow.
“We have so many books that were taken out of circulation as well as donated,” Fleming said. “So many people donated books after the storm because they knew we needed them.”
The sale helps the organization fundraise to meet its goal of donating $20,000 each year to the library to supports its wishlist.
“The wishlist includes things like the children’s area, the paintings, the mural,” Fleming said. Past donations have gone to fund display cases and items in the children’s area.
The library is also selling a Friends of the Library membership for $25, which will include a free Friends of the Library bag to fill up at the sale or a “Meet me at the FMB Library” shirt.
The Estero Island Garden Club will also be selling plants, coffee and baked goods. “They are such a nice addition to our weekend sale, and we love partnering with them,” Fleming said.
Fleming said volunteers are needed to unpack the books for the sale at the library.
“We can use volunteers starting on Thursday and Friday, February 27 and 28, to unpack books starting at 9:15,” Fleming said. “Volunteers will also be needed Saturday and Sunday during the sale as well as at 1:45 on Sunday to pack everything back up.”
If you are able to volunteer, email the Friends at: Friendsofthefmblibrary@gmail.com
All year long you can find unique gifts and cards in the gift shop and used bookstore on the third floor of the library. The store is staffed entirely by volunteers. The Friends of the Library manage the bookstore, and all proceeds benefit the library and their needs.
The Fort Myers Beach Library is located at 2755 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach.