Redcliff Library brings in record amount during fall book sale

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith
Commentator/Courier

November 17–18 marked the second of the Redcliff Public Library’s two annual book sales, and this weekend was a resounding success, despite some scheduling mishaps.

The library has long since hosted their first annual book sale during the summer, opening their doors to those looking for used books, movies, and Blu-Rays during the height of Redcliff Days. 

However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also begun, “to host a second sale closer to the end of the year,” said Tracy Laturnus, library manager.

“We had lots of books for all age groups, we had movies, Blu-Rays, talking books, quite a selection. And yeah, it was very successful for us. So we’re happy to keep doing it,” said Laturnus. “We were able to bring in a record dollar amount for our second sale with over $2,300.”

Their goal for the second sale was much lower, said Laturnus, so library staff and volunteers are thrilled with the level of community support they’ve received.

“So we use all the acquired funds towards purchasing new books or technology that we need to update; really, all those kinds of things that just seem to pop up,” said Laturnus. 

The second sale also largely relies on donated books or items that they were finished with, as well as anything that had not moved in the summer sale, which is usually done right after the Library’s annual purge of books that no longer have space on the shelves, so the record amount of sales is a twofold display of generosity from the Redcliff community.

This year’s sale had accidentally coincided with Medicine Hat’s Midnight Madness, which usually happens at the end of November. Laturnus notes they will simply try to have it on a different weekend next year, to avoid the overlap and allow both events to shine.