The Big Book Sales are the Friends’ primary fundraisers.  The events are held twice per year, Spring and Fall, at the Central Library lower level.  Although you don't need to be a Friends member to volunteer for many tasks, Friends members are automatically placed on the volunteer mailing list, and receive a letter 6-7 weeks prior to the sale outlining volunteer opportunities and how to sign up.

If you are not already a Friends’ member, we encourage you to join to be among the first to learn of the opportunities available.

Or visit www.bigbooksale.org. 

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Book Sorters - In the months prior to the sale itself, preview books that arrive on a daily basis and sort according to subject and condition. 
  
  
• Pre-Sale Setup - While much of the sales floor is set up by the library maintenance staff, volunteers are still needed to hang signs and set up miscellaneous shelving. 
  
  
• Sales Day Organizer - Tidy the books on the display tables, move boxed stock to open spots, and answer questions.
  
  
• Sales Day Cashier - Tally purchases, take money and make change, and assist customers in bagging their purchases (cashiers must be Friends members).
  
  
• Sales Day Transporter - Assist customers in bringing their purchases to their vehicle. Should be able to lift 20 pounds
  
  
• Post-Sale Take Down - At the end of the sale, help box up leftover books and transport to a staging area; remove signs and miscellaneous shelves and return to storage.

Shifts are usually 2-3 hours, and all but cashiers will spend much of the time on their feet.  We are always most in need of cashiers, transporters, and take down helpers.

Give-A-Kid-A-Book is an annual campaign to collect new books and distribute them to low-income children in December.

The campaign is coordinated by the Friends of the Brown County Library, and distribution is handled in partnership with the Salvation Army and the Marine’s Toys for Tots Christmas programs.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Book Collection -  A major source of new GAKAB books comes from volunteers who host and promote a book collection box in their business, church, or club.
  
  
• Setup - Help transport boxes of books from the library staging area to the delivery truck,  then from the truck to the display floor, then unpack the boxes and arrange the books on the display tables.
  
  
• Distribution Advisers - On distribution days (usually a week before Christmas), volunteers help parents locate the best books that would be age-appropriate and of a particular interest for their children.  The most helpful advisers are often parents who are already familiar with current children and young adult titles and authors.