For Alfred ‘Al’ Bertoline and the Friends of the Blackstone Library (FOBL), the excitement is building as the days count down to the return of the Friend’s gigantic book sale on Branford Town Green.

Coming Thursday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 3, this year’s sale is aptly christened “Celebrate Life with Books” for more reasons than one. Last year, due to the pandemic, the traditional book sale, which draws thousands to snap up great buys among tens of thousands of titles, could not be held on the green. This year, FOBL members are rolling up their sleeves to bring the big book sale roaring back to life. The sales is also FOBL’s single largest fundraiser; all proceeds benefit unfinanced programs and equipment for the library. To top it all off, the library is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2021.

“This year is especially important to the library, because it’s their 125th anniversary. And they are celebrating that, with good reason, all year long. So of course, it’s nice to have the book sale as a major part of that celebration,” says Al, now in his second year as FOBL president.

“Major” is the operative word here—some 70,000 books will top long rows of tables beneath the sale’s signature, monumental tent to be erected on the Branford Green. It takes a small army of FOBL community volunteers to set up, service, and break down the sale and a full year of effort from those who sort, select, and categorize books. Book sale event volunteers are always appreciated and needed.

“We are constantly looking for volunteers, and the residents of Branford really respond,” says Al. “They don’t have to be a member of the friends. Anybody who wants to devote some time, we have a place for them. We have a place for strong young men who want to move some books, and a place for everybody who wants to keep it straight and clean as books leave and we put more on the shelves. We need cashiers and ‘where to find books’ instructors.”

Many past volunteers not only return to help again, but bring friends to help FOBL, he adds.

“It’s been great, because there’s now a lot of people who’ve had the experience of volunteering for two or four hours, and they come back, and start to bring their neighbors back. So, everyone who wants to help, we’ll have a place for them—and it will be a great experience.”

Al also notes all of the books on sale have been freshly donated throughout the year by community members. That means each book sale offers a completely new inventory of the titles of gently used books folks love to come looking for, and snap up at low prices (from 50 cents to $3; other pricing on specialty books.)

“The residents of the town are so giving. Whenever they want to clear books out of their homes, it’s automatic that they think of the library,” he says. “And each year at the major sale we sell most of those books, and then we spend the next year gathering books for the next big sale.”

Books can be dropped off at FOBL donation drop-off boxes or, for major donations, pick-up can be arranged.

Al credits FOBL’s Joe Genua, book sale chair since 2019 (and a past Person of the Week), with organizing the herculean effort, as well as leading the volunteer troops all year long and continuing come up with innovative ideas.

“Joe Genua is absolutely amazing,” says Al. “He’s an incredible organizer and great with volunteers and listening to people. He’s put together a phenomenal sale. And he’s also the guy, when we had to cancel the [big tent] sale in 2020, that was very instrumental in dreaming up the mini book sales we held in the fall and spring at our warehouse, and carrying those off with masks and social distancing as well as cleaning books and shelves. He’s done a tremendous job.”

The innovation continues with plans for the streamlining the upcoming book sale for an even easier, faster shopping experience for all book lovers. Books organized by topics now include further details such as improved sports categories to track down a favorite team, a new LGBTQ+ category, cookbooks subdivided by content, and hardback fiction categorized by authors’ names for an easy search, to name but a few tweaks to streamline the hunt.

“Anybody who goes to the book sale this year is going to be really excited, because they’ve done an incredible amount of sorting and other features to make it a seamless, easy experience for everybody,” says Al.

Also, the book sale is now accepting credit cards and debit cards as well as cash—so no more racing off to the ATM, says Al.

“We’ve really tried to streamline the process so that the lines won’t be long as they can be. We’re trying to provide a very good experience, so you’ll come out, look for books, go up to pay, and still be smiling through that process. And we’re going to be proud of that.”

As are so many Branford residents, Al is also extremely proud of the beautiful community gem that is the Blackstone Library. A former Windsor resident, Al moved here about six years ago thanks to his wife, Lisa (formerly Cabral, now Bertoline) a lifelong Branford resident who introduced him to the town.

“The first thing, when you move to town and you see that building—you’re just so overwhelmed with its beauty and architecture. It’s just a grand place,” says Al.

He was delighted to learn the library was supported by a friends group and became an active member. Al was happy to be asked to join the board within a short time.

“I got educated very quickly to see what a dynamic group it is,” he says. “Which is certainly presented here on the green, with their fantastic book sale. It’s just impressive, and such a major event to put on as a volunteer organization.”

Al counts himself lucky enough to have experienced volunteering at a few of the big book sales before the 2020 event was put on hold last fall. He’s looking forward to helping to welcome the community back to this year’s event and to drive in continued support for the Blackstone Library.

“It’s the friends’ major fundraiser that continues to grow, and boy, I’ll tell you, everything we raise goes to the library. It goes to enhancing the programs, expanding the children’s and the adult programs and also just expanding the collection beyond what the town can give to the library,” Al says. “It’s just all those extra things that enables the library to continue to be relevant, and give back to this great community of ours.”

The Friends of Blackstone Library’s fall book sale under the big tent is Thursday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 3 on the Branford Green. General public hours: Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m.; Oct. 1 and 2, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Oct. 3 is $10 “Fill Our Bag Day” from noon to 3 p.m. The sale is COVID compliant. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.facebook.com/JBMLfriends, call 203-488-1441, or email friends@blackstonelibrary.org.