By CAROL LARSEN | Columnist

Reading opportunities abound when you visit the Poulsbo Friends of the Library Winter Book Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Kitsap Regional Library Poulsbo Branch community room.

Our library community has been attending and supporting our book sales for many years. For that we are grateful.

The proceeds from our book sales support many aspects of our Poulsbo library, including:

• the summer learning program, open to all community members young and older;
• the third-grade reading program, which invites every third-grade student into the library for a tour, free book, and lunch with librarians;
• the Washington Youth Academy, which was supplied with book kits and discussion led by the teen librarian, Joe Young;
• the purchase of materials for children and youth craft programs;
• and the purchase of library book carts.

These are only a few of the projects the Friends fund as a result of your generous support of our quarterly book sales. All proceeds go toward these efforts. We are proud to serve this call through your participation.

Since its beginning in 1955, the Friends, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with tax deductible status, has worked together with like-minded community folks in support of the Poulsbo library through donations of books, CDs, and DVDs. Donations may be brought to the library’s lower entrance and placed on the book carts in the hallway. Additionally, when requested, a PFOL member will travel to your home and collect your donation. A tax receipt is available upon request. These donations are the backbone of our book sales and our success is dependent on them.

For more information about Poulsbo Friends of the Library, please join us at one of our monthly meetings. We gather on the first Monday of each month, excluding July and August. A nominal membership fee of $5 per year covers administrative costs, i.e. name tags and printing expenses. We begin at 9:30 a.m. with a short general meeting, followed by a speaker selected from our Kitsap community. In the past, we have learned about the Kitsap Humane Society, Kitsap Artists League, and many more. We publish a monthly newsletter featuring news of our library and upcoming PFOL events.

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please contact PFOL via our email address below. While visiting your library, stop by the glass art tribute to Yvonne Saddler, an avid supporter of the Poulsbo library. As time passes, other names will be added to mark their dedicated service.

PFOL stands with the community in support of our library — your library. Following the Jan. 20 book sale event, the next book sale will be on April 21. Add them to your calendar and come by for your next reading adventure. We hope to see you!

— Carol Larsen is president of Poulsbo Friends of the Library. She can be reached at poulsbofriends@aol.com

The Poulsbo Friends of the Library Winter Book Sale will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Kitsap Regional Library Poulsbo Branch community room. (Contributed photo)

Carol Larsen Carol Larsen