There’s a sense of community in our area that is strongly shaped by our libraries. For instance, bookending National Library Week, the Ash Flat City Library will host this year’s spring used book sale on Saturday, April 2, while Friends of Hardy Library will punctuate the end of the week with a special sale on Saturday, April 9. After all, one can never have too many books.
Ever since Jayne A. Abele first organized a used book sale in the mid-1950s to provide funding for local literacy programs, the Friends of Hardy Library group has maintained a commitment to support the library and to have an effective outreach program with the community. The spring sale is going to be unique and fun, and will honor the memory of our beloved Miss Jayne (Dec 1920-Feb 2022).
Themed ‘Not Your Average Used Book Sale’, the event will again be held at Hardy Civic Center, 301 W. Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
In addition to gently used hardback and paperback books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, and games, long-time patrons will welcome the return of the Spring River Artists Guild (SRAG) Flea Market. A new twist is that SRAG members will also exhibit and sell some of their fine art work that day.
As Ron Popeil would say, ‘But wait! There’s more!’ Bibliophiles will be able to visit with authors from throughout the area who will be available to showcase, discuss, and sign their books:
• Sara Jo Bowling (Salem), an inspirational author who deals with making sense of personal disabilities in her second book entitled ‘Insides Out: A Breaking Free’
• Ron Estes (Mammoth Spring), author of two books about World War I veterans who hailed from Fulton and Sharp counties
• Mark Gordon (Cherokee Village), chef and storyteller/author of ‘The Flatlander’s Redneck Epicurious – Southern Fusion Volume One’
• Valerie Hansen (Glencoe), award-winning author of more than 90 publications including the Serenity, Arkansas book series
• George Jared (Walnut Ridge), investigative journalist and true crime author of ‘Witches in West Memphis’, ‘The Creek Side Bones’, and ‘Whispers in the Willows’.
• Christine Lynxwiler (Highland), award-winning author of numerous inspirational and romance novels and novellas
• Kat Robinson, Arkansas foodways expert and travel writer, will also be represented in advance of the Arkansas Pie Festival that will be held on April 16th at Cherokee Village Town Center.
Last, and most certainly not least, patrons will be welcome to choose among the tiny books of poetry and wisdom written by Jayne A. Abele.