by Kristin Casale
Associate Editor
Stow -- Judy Bloom, Ken Follett, Anne Rice and Barbara Taylor Bradford. These are just a few of the authors who have provided signed copies of their books to the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library for its first-ever book auction.
The silent auction will begin July 1 and continue until the end of the month, said Library Public Relations Coordinator Ann Malthaner.
The library has auctioned books signed by their authors on a small scale in the past, she said, stating a few have been available during the Library Foundation's annual dessert extravaganza.
"Last year and the year before, we sent out letters to authors asking to donate signed books for our dessert extravaganza, and they sold pretty well," said Malthaner. "But, this year, Foundation member Ruth Reedy really stepped that up. She really doubled our efforts."
Malthaner said Reedy obtained a list of the top 50 circulating authors in the library and looked through the shelves for other authors of note, then sent a letter to each author asking for signed copies of their books.
Rather than sell the books for only one night, Malthaner said, the library wanted to make them available for an entire month.
"The people who would really be interested in the books are the people who come into the library and check out these books," she said.
Reedy said she looks forward to the auction, stating she spent a number of months asking authors for donations.
"Last year and this year, I would get lists of authors and find their addresses or e-mail addresses and send them requests," she said.
Malthaner said she has enjoyed checking the library's mail on a regular basis since the facility began seeking signed books because something different has arrived nearly each time.
"It's really been exciting to see," she said.
To date, Malthaner said, the library has received 52 signed items from authors, including 47 books, a book on a CD, two books on tape, a T-shirt and a stuffed penguin.
"That's a pretty incredible amount," she said, adding library staff will decide what to include in the auction and what to include in this year's Sept. 6 dessert extravaganza.
She said the library has not set a goal for the event, explaining, "This is the first time we're doing it."
The books are on display in the facility, said Malthaner, though bids will not be accepted until July 1.
For more information, call the library at 330-688-3295.
E-mail: kcasale@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3917