On behalf of the James Blackstone Memorial Library, I want to thank the Friends of the Library and all of the incredible volunteers and local businesses that made this year’s book sale a success.

Every year, members of the Friends of the Library work hard to collect the donations that are brought to the library every day, then sort, organize, and pack them for transport to the Town Green. There were more than 70,000 books this year, so this is a massive effort that requires many volunteers and hours.

The library and the community benefit from this hard work through the variety of programs the friends group sponsors, as well as many supplements to the circulating collection. This year, the library was able to add streaming films from Kanopy and downloadable books, audiobooks, music, and movies from HOOPLA, in addition to a large collection of museum passes that provide free and discounted admission to CT and NY museums. All of these materials are provided free of charge to Branford residents, and are not included in the library’s operating budget.

Not only do the Friends of the Library provide much-needed and well-enjoyed resources for our residents, the book sale provides a fun weekend, a way to discover new classics or books you may have missed, and a way to connect with your neighbors and friends in support of a great cause.

We thank the Friends of the Library and Branford for their tremendous support!

Karen Jensen, Library Director

James Blackstone Memorial Library

Branford