Monroe libary hosts book fair

MONROE-Books were disappearing fast at the Monroe Free Library Book Sale. This traditional event, which took place during the Monroe Cheese Festival, raised over $860 for the library. What is unusual about this book sale is that it was inspired by and organized by the library staff. Library employees Marie Arnstein, Maureen Hoskins, and Melanie Turner gave up precious storage in their homes for four months to hold thousands of donated books. All these books were sorted by staffers and arranged by category, so that buyers could easily find that perfect cookbook, craft magazine, children?s video or jazz CD. "We really appreciate all the donated books we received," said Mrs. Arnstein, of the Monroe Free Library's Reference department, "Our volunteers were very helpful." On the day of the sale, library employees donated their time to sell books, with the help of Monroe Free Library Board of Trustee members Rose Ann Pomares and Charles Pakula, Boy Scouts Joseph Herman and Shawn Cagney of Troop #540, and other volunteers. Money raised from the successful sale will go towards purchasing software for a new computer in the Children's Area at the Monroe Free Library. "We wanted to give something extra to our library," says Arnstein. Any books left over from the thousands sold were donated to libraries in Newburgh and Grahamsville for their upcoming book sales. "The book sale was worthy and fun," says Marie Arnstein, "and we would definitely do it again."