Friends' Bookstore - 507.328.2306

The Friends bookstore is located on the main floor of the Rochester Public Library with the entrance in the Library lobby. Stock includes children's books, fiction, non-fiction and foreign language fiction.

Items range from $.50 to $5.00 for newer hardcover books. Most paperback fiction is $1.00 with some newer ones priced up to $3.00. There are some collectibles books in the shop which range from $10.00 to $50.00.

In addition to books, gift items such as bags, booksmarks, etc. are also available.

The Bookstore is operated by the Friends of the Rochester Public Library as a non-profit organization with all proceeds going to the Rochester Public Library. Please consider becoming a Friend's member and volunteer in the library or bookstore.

Bookstore Sales

Saturday, August 14

10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Library Foyer

COOKBOOKS! COOKBOOKS! COOKBOOKS!

Spend $20.00 and get a free apron or oven mitts!

The Friends' Bookstore is having special sales on the second Saturday of each month. We will feature different topics from history, gardening, to crafts, etc. See this space for details.

Bookstore Committee

Manager: Mary Barrett

Secretary: Mary Leppala

Treasurer: Ann Griese

Library Liaison: Gail Harris and Marilyn Campbell

Sorting/Back Room: Pat Stephenson and Mary Leppala

Community Member: Paul Walding

Sub-committee Liaison: Bev Reid

Displays: Sue McMillan

Scheduling: Marj Steinbauer

Training: Mary Barrett (bookstore)

Book Sales Coordinator: Shirley Edmonson

PR/Recognition/Coffees: Helen McIver

Art Walk: Yvonne Landgren

RACE Exhibit: Pat Stephenson

Bookstore History

The Friends of the Rochester Public Library Bookstore was formed 11 years ago dedicated to strengthening the existing resources of the Library while promoting awareness and use of the Library services. We are a non-profit
organization staffed by volunteers.

The Friends' Bookstore is located within Library with sorting space in the back. We have over 82 volunteers who run the store, another 35 who help sort, and 3 people who price books. Over 300 other Friends help out in the Library.

We have progressed from one annual garage sale to the RochesterFest two-day event, with three other sales during the year (Winterfest, National Library Week, and Fall Cleanup) as well as our December Holiday Book and Bake Sale.
The Special and Unusual Book Sales are also held in conjunction with these sales.

In 2009 we were able to place over 8,500 books as new or replacement books into the Library or Bookmobile from donations. We have also funded the purchase of books and several programs from sales in the store ($50,000 last
year). Volunteers in 2009 spent over 2000 hours sorting books, while the Bookstore Clerks worked over 5000 hours in the bookstore or special sales.

There were 392 Friends volunteers who helped in the Library with over 17,000 hours (this is estimated to be worth over $340,000 or 8 fulltime employees). Over the last 7 years The Friends Bookstore volunteers have contributed over
45,000 books worth over $1,050,000. These are very impressive numbers, which depend on your donations.

Recent projects include books for soldiers 'Operation Paperback' (Pat Stephenson sent off over 700 books), Support for Channel One (1000s of books), Online sales (text books, out of print books, virtual cash for book purchase, unusual and special books), Art Walk extending our open hours during the summer with Art and Book displays, and RPL Book Group Book bags, where we replace or provide additional copies for over 80 titles.

Last updated: 7/27/10

Bookstore Summer Hours
Monday	10 am - 8 pm
Tuesday	10 am - 4pm
Wednesday	10 am - 4 pm
Thursday	10 am - 7 pm
Friday	10 am - 4 pm
Saturday	10 am - 1 pm
Sunday	Closed

Enter to grow in wisdom

Friends Quick links

Friends' Bookstore - 507.328.2306

Bookstore Sales

Bookstore Committee

Bookstore History

Bookstore Summer Hours

Beach Reads Display

Children's Books

Current Music

Painted Window of the Bookstore

Monthly Race Display