The Friends of the Blake Library in Stuart, Inc. (Stuart, FL)
In 1996, the voters of Martin County, Florida, approved a referendum for a 1% for one-year tax increase to fund new libraries. The main branch, The Blake Library, was completed in 1999. The next several years saw the rapid construction of five other branches. Each library formed their own Friends group, ran separate book sales and kept their individual proceeds. Tax cuts and budget constraints of the 2000’s, however, challenged the Friends to take on greater fundraising responsibilities. With the realization that cooperation and collaboration could produce greater profits, a committee was formed to realize the dream of a centralized bookstore. The idea for the Book Depot was formed.
With the dream of a retail bookstore and all the diverse Friends groups on board, the first obstacle was finding a suitable, affordable large space. Space was found in the B & A Flea Market in Stuart, FL. Open on weekends, this popular flea market insures steady traffic and plenty of available parking spaces. Open on Saturdays and Sundays year round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Book Depot is staffed entirely by volunteers from each of the six Friends groups. Profits are distributed equally to each branch library or used to upgrade the Book Depot. A committee of twelve, two from each of the Friends groups, manages the Book Depot. A team leader is rotated among the committee members.
Once the building site was secured, over 100 volunteers tackled the job of outfitting an empty space. With energy, enthusiasm, and team spirit, they cleaned the 4,500 square foot space, painted the walls, and built the shelves. Local artists added murals and colorful graphics. Thousands of books and audios were collected, sorted, and priced. Local merchants donated lumber, ceramic tile, paint, carpet, and recycled materials. Eagle Scouts donated their time and the entire community came together in support of the Book Depot.
From the day the Book Depot opened its doors, it has been an unqualified success. Hundreds of people come through its doors each weekend, browsing and buying. Book dealers have been spotted in the Book Depot, buying cartons of books. As word has spread, customers are coming from as far away as the west coast of Florida (Stuart is located on the east coast of the state). The greatest success, however, is the revenue generated by the sales. Distribution for the first year of operation resulted in $9,300 per Friends group for a total of $55,800. In the first 13 months the Book Depot more than doubled the amount all the Friends groups made with individual sales in the previous year. Profits enabled the Book Depot to purchase a new computer, add more air-conditioned space, and upgrade shelving units. Once the Friends groups realized the value of cooperation, they began planning an upscale Bizarre Bazaar to be held at the County Fairgrounds in November, 2008.
The innovation, enthusiasm, and create fundraising shown by the five Friends groups of the Martin County Library System serves as a role model for other Friends groups as they seek to fulfill their mission of advocacy and library support.