Mahopac Library’s Book Barn Hopes to Build on Success

All of the libraries in Putnam County hold used book sales in order to generate funds to help the  libraries operate and put on special and free programs for the community.

The Friends of Mahopac Library have gone several steps further and have turned the Book Barn located on the basement floor of the library into an inviting and organized used book store. Open four or more days a week on the regular basis, the Book Barn is one of the few places Putnam County residents can purchase books – at an absolute bargain, with shelves and shelves of gently-used hard cover and paperbacks books that go for as little as 50 cents up to $1.

“We are trying to get the word out to the community: we have the lowest used book prices in Putnam County,” chair of the Book Barn committee Susan Wilson said. “We have a lot of nearly pristine books; some of the backs aren’t even cracked.”
The Book Barn was first established by longtime Mahopac residents Jean and Charlie King who opened it in a shed next to the old Mahopac Public Library, before the new building was constructed.  It now has been dedicated in their honor.

According to Wilson, the linoleum floors in the basement of the new building had never been sealed and a water leak caused further damage.

The Friends of Mahopac Library decided it was time to replace the floor and when that project got started, it inspired them to make additional changes.

Dennis DiRaffaele constructed wood  end caps that spruced up the metal shelving. The only station for volunteers was a desk that was falling apart, so DiRaffaele took two donated filing cabinets, topped them with laminate, and made a new desk for the Book Barn.

John Dillard broke out a paint brush and applied a new, fresh coat of paint to the walls.

“We decided we needed to freshen it up a bit to make it more appealing, especially to moms with kids,” Wilson said. “It just kind of blossomed.”

Wilson said neither the renovations, nor the ongoing operation of the Book Barn, would be possible without the dedicated volunteerism of those who have given their time to see the facility shine.

“They are just the nicest, most friendly people,” she said of the community members who operate the Book Barn. “Some of the volunteers just walked in cold and said, ‘I want to work here.’ ”

Instead of sifting through boxes, the Book Barn sections are organized by subject for easy browsing.

The Friends of Mahopac Library also have added a special section with signed, rare and antique editions of books.

Wilson said she has taken on the project of sifting through donations to find these gems that still sell at significantly reduced prices, ranging from $3 up to $25.

“It’s really interesting doing this part of the job,” Wilson said. “We get a lot of books that are over 100 years old.”

Someone donated a four-volume set on the Boer Wars that quickly caught the eye of a history buff.

“Somebody grabbed that up real fast,” she said.

The money raised through the sale of the used books, and other materials, goes toward adding to the library’s collection, sponsoring special programs for children and adults, and helps to bring special speakers and performers to the library. In the past, money raised also has gone toward the purchase of furniture, equipment and the awnings on the exterior of the building and the sign on Route 6.

So, what kind of impact have the renovations had on the Book Barn’s customer base and bottom line?

“It’s improved the appearance so much so that we have many more moms coming down,” Wilson said of the special section they have set aside for childrens’ books.

Last month, the Book Barn held a half-off sale on paperbacks and the response from the community, hungry for some new reading material, was outstanding and gave the Book Barn its best month to-date.

“More people are hearing about us. I just want to be swamped every day,” she said.