By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

On March 10 and 11, the Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library held its spring book sale.

Like most organizations and businesses nowadays, the library’s budget does not cover all the activities and “extras” we have come to expect at our library.

With an advertised inventory of more than 20,000 books, the public was lined up and waiting for the book sale to begin at 9 a.m. At 50 cents per paperback and $1 for all hardbacks, a lots of folks left with sacks of treasures.

Video tapes, DVDs and selected children’s books were also available.

In 2011, the Friends donated $4,300 to enhance and support the library services. The mobile unit ramp was made safer when it was painted with non-slip paint.

“Summer Challenge,” a reading program, is supported through the Friends. Other sponsored events that are not in the regular budget include the Halloween magician, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, plus carriage rides, American Girls tea party refreshments and decorations, a six-week course of crochet classes and the Winnie the Pooh program.

And let’s not forget the Easter Bunny, Ms. Spring, adult cake and culture programs and gingerbread decorating. Decorations, refreshments, presenters and prizes are furnished through the year-long efforts of the Friends.

You may join the Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library for as little as $10 per year. You can donate your “overflow” of books all year long. Volunteers are needed to mend books, box excess books, shelve and straighten books, participate in fundraisers, greet customers and just have fun.

The Friends have the right to designate how their funds are spent.

Our library is about to expand. Can you imagine the ideas all these savvy volunteers are going to come up with?

They will welcome donations (books and money), time or whatever you have to offer. Application forms are available at the library. Be a Friend!

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached by email at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.