Sales of used magazines benefits Decorah Library

You might have noticed the bins of used magazines as you enter the first floor of the Decorah Public Library. But you might not know how important the sale of used magazines has become.

Friends of the Decorah Public Library member Mark Wilharm says, "The program is a significant factor in environmentally-positive recycling, and patrons benefit from having greater access to gently-used magazines."

Friends of Decorah Public Library Treasurer Diann Marten reports that "During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the magazine sale raised $1,864, which means that over 18,600 magazines were sold. This income represents 13.5 percent of our total receipts for the year, a significant amount for which we are very grateful."

Community members donate "gently used" magazines that they no longer want in one of the black bins located just inside Decorah Public Library's entrances on the first floor and the lower level (If you do not want your address on magazines, please remove or black it out before donating). Magazines are then sold for 10 cents each. They may even be returned to the black bins again for re-sale if desired.

All proceeds from magazine sales benefit Friends of Decorah Public Library. It is the purpose of the Friends of the Library to promote and enhance the Decorah Public Library and its programs for the leisure, entertainment and personal life-long learning of the citizens of Decorah and greater Winneshiek County.

For more information, contact the Decorah Public Library at 382-3717.

(Pictured above): RSVP volunteer Sue Roby helps to sort the magazines