The ongoing success of the Friends of the Library book sales says a lot of positive things about the community we live in and the expertise of the people who make sure avid readers and children can easily buy books, said Carol Grimes, the Springfield-Greene County Library District's planning and development coordinator.

A few weeks ago, about 465 volunteers worked more than 2,500 hours and sold $94,000 worth of pre-read books at the group's bi-annual book sale. The six-day fall sale, plus preview, was held at Remington's, the large facility in southwest Springfield ideally suited to house this huge event that attracts thousands of book-lovers.

What is the secret to the Friends' success? No secret, says Marcia Kellotat, who has chaired the past four sales: "We are lucky to be in a community that loves to read and enjoys buying and donating plenty of books. We have an outstanding location, total support from the Library District staff and great volunteers!"

"At last spring's sale, the Friends brought in $93,500," said Grimes. "Together with the sale all year long of used books at the Between Friends Gift Shops at the Library Station and Library Center, they make almost $200,000 each year, funds that benefit the ten branches and bookmobile and make valuable projects possible."

Two recently funded special projects include remodeling of the Library Center teen department for $74,889 and a program called Targeting Every Child Ready to Read for $2,283.

Thanks to the Friends' funding, the teen department will be decked out with new paint and carpet, study and lounge seating, snazzy computer stations, beautiful end panels, mood-setting light, wall and window décor and an attention-grabbing entry.

The second project will extend an earlier $3,000 grant from Target; the additional funding from the Friends will aid library staff in reaching more children with storytimes and more parents and teachers with literacy training at Greene County Head Start sites.

Other Friends grants include: $25,000 to fund facility projects; $11,000 to support the 2009 summer reading programs and clubs for teens and children; $2,500 to pay for performers at popular concerts such as Geezerfest at the Library Center, Holiday Horns at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library and the Sunday Sounds series at the Library Station.

Friends don't rest on their laurels; they are back to weekly book sorting sessions, and the group has already reserved Remington's, near the corner of Kansas Expressway and Republic Road, for the spring book sale, to be held Tuesday-Sunday, April 28-May 3, 2009.