My grandmother always bragged about how much 50 cents could buy her “back in the day.” Once, she said that with 50 cents, she could: buy hamburgers for a week; go see a movie; and drink Coca Cola for a week. Of course, I looked at her in total amazement because in my day, 50 cents can no longer get you a copy of local newspaper. What can 50 cents get you in 2011? Well, so far I’ve managed to come up with: one Air Head, a cup of water from McDonald’s and … a book! Yes. You can buy a book with 50 cents in 2011.

On May 21, the Downtown Headquarters Library will host a public book sale. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The book sale will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2 p.m. The average selling price for each book is 50 cents! Remember, the early bird catches the worm so be sure to come early to get the best books and deals.

Friends of the Library are “a group of people who support the work of the library with fi nancial contributions.” By completing a membership application, located on the library homepage, and paying a small membership fee, anyone can become a member of Friends of the Library. Members receive biweekly newsletters with library information, monthly event calendars and participate in the private book sale.

The book sale will benefit the library greatly. Proceeds from the sale will go towards author events, library staff-development workshops and other events hosted by the library. A variety of books will be for sale including: audio books, DVDs, VHS tapes, magazines and music CDs. Children’s books, adult books and foreign-language books will also be sold. Some of the books are from community donations as well as books included in library circulation.

The book sale happens several times a year, but due to the fi re damage Headquarters Library incurred in October 2008, the book sale was taken off the calendar. It resumed in February of 2010 and made $8,500 in profi ts. An estimated 100-150 people attend the public sale and profi ts average between $7,000 and $9,000.

Friends of the Library and Headquarters Library encourage members of the community to take advantage of the free events hosted by the library. Every fi rst and second Tuesday of each month. Friends of the Library are also sponsoring a quilt raffl e to benefi t the organization. Each ticket is $2 and the raffl e will be on September 20 at 7 p.m.

The University of Dayton reports that 80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book in 2002. One third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. Forty-two percent of college graduates never read another book after college. Reading allows one to take an adventure to foreign places and go on unique adventures. Children are able to use their imagination and learn new fun-filled things while reading. Change these statistic and support the public book sale at the Downtown Headquarters Library on May 2. With only 50 cents you will be able to leave with a treasure.

Photo: On May 21, the Downtown Headquarters Library will host a public book sale.