![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SAV-L-BOOKSAPPETIT-0423-02.jpg\")
People attend the 2025 Books App\u00e9tit event at the Valley Community Library. (Courtesy of Kristen Wallo)<\/p>\nThe Valley Community Library, an important resource in the Midvalley for people of all ages, is preparing to host its annual Books App\u00e9tit fundraiser.<\/p>\n
The event will be held Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the library at 739 River St. in Peckville.<\/p>\n
The library, a division of the Lackawanna County Library System, has been a mainstay in the Blakely, Archbald, Jessup, Dickson City, Throop and Olyphant communities for over four decades.<\/p>\n
Funding its many programs and events has not always been easy for all of those years, however. According to the library\u2019s director, Kristen Wallo, about a quarter of its yearly budget is sourced from various types of fundraising.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe rely on the generosity of the public to keep our programs and building fully funded every year,\u201d Wallo said.<\/p>\n
The library conducts many fundraisers for this purpose, including its biannual book sales and trips to Atlantic City, but by far its biggest is Books App\u00e9tit.<\/p>\n
People attend the 2025 Books App\u00e9tit event at the Valley Community Library. (Courtesy of Kristen Wallo)<\/p>\n
Held in May, the event for those 21 and over is held both inside and outside the library. People who attend are given a glass of wine at the door, and additional alcohol from local breweries like Breaker Brewing Outpost will be available at the event.<\/p>\n
Food will also be supplied by local restaurants, and outdoor entertainment will be provided by The Wanabees, a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll cover band from the area. Aside from the cost to enter the event, there are several other ways to support the library while inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re holding a basket raffle until the day of the event, and we\u2019ll be drawing the winners the day after,\u201d said Wallo. \u201cWe\u2019ve also been taking a number of reservations for a block pool, with different prizes for five winners. That will be announced during the event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The block pool\u2019s grand prizes include a four-day and three-night pass to Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos. Some of the baskets being offered include gift cards and outdoor decorations for the summer months ahead.<\/p>\n
The biggest supporters of the library, the Friends of the Valley Community Library, run the year\u2019s other fundraising efforts and help however they can with Books App\u00e9tit. One of the Friends, secretary Donna Stuchlak, has been busy organizing the block pool and keeping track of what has been donated so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to teach, so I\u2019m very aware of how important libraries are. They need to stay well-funded and well-cared for,\u201d Stuchlak said.<\/p>\n
Beyond keeping the library open and running, the money raised during this event will be used in various ways. The library\u2019s HVAC system is in need of maintenance, and with summer events such as Independence Day coming up, the resources needed for these activities will be secured with the funding from Books App\u00e9tit.<\/p>\n
\u201cLibraries are more in danger than they\u2019ve ever been. Any support people can give will be appreciated,\u201d said Wallo.<\/p>\n
Tickets for Books App\u00e9tit are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in person at the library or online at givebutter.com\/books-appetit-2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n The library will be closing at 1 p.m. on May 7 to prepare for the event. Those who can\u2019t make it can stop by the library for raffle tickets during regular hours.<\/p>\n If you go<\/p>\n What: Books App\u00e9tit<\/p>\n Where: Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville<\/p>\n When: Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n