PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Thanks to a hefty donation of books from The Cubby Thrift Store, the United Way of Aroostook has opened a Book Nook that provides free books to all community members and serves as the newest fundraising initiative for the organization’s early literacy program.
In late fall, The Cubby Thrift Store donated thousands of used books to United Way of Aroostook that the business itself had received from community members. Sherry Locke, executive director for United Way, said that a group of staff and volunteers soon got together and brainstormed how they could create a fun way to raise money for their Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program while involving the community.
The United Way of Aroostook recently opened a Book Nook in the Aroostook Centre Mall, in which all books are free and community members can donate to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Folks can also drop off gently-used books to the United Way office or Book Nook. (Courtesy of United Way of Aroostook)
“There were literally 200 boxes or more of books that our friends at The Cubby donated All of them were high-quality used books that were in great condition,” Locke said.
The Book Nook has now been open for two weeks in the Aroostook Centre Mall and is located across from Acadia Medical Supply and the former CardSmart location. There are no prices for any of the books but people are encouraged to make a financial donation to support the Imagination Library, a program that sends nearly free books to about 2,240 children from birth to age 5 every month to promote early literacy skills.
Thus far the Book Nook has raised approximately $1,500 through individual donations, all of which will go toward the nearly $60,000 price tag for operating Imagination Library. This past summer, United Way mailed its 100,000th book since becoming part of the national program in 2013.
Community members also are welcome to donate used books in good condition to the United Way office, also located in the mall, or the Book Nook. Since the Book Nook’s inception, Locke said she has seen hundreds of books leave and even more be donated. The space has everything from children’s and teen books to adult fiction, biographies, books with religious themes, cookbooks and self-help books.
“At this point, we don’t have any plans for closing the Book Nook. The mall has been a huge help in letting us operate in this space and the community has been so supportive through their donations,” Locke said.
During the week before Christmas the Book Nook was busy with people who came to browse the shelves looking for the perfect gifts or discovering something new for their next literary adventure.
“This is the first time I’ve been here and I think it’s a nice way to share books,” said Sherry Hafford of Presque Isle as she shopped on the morning of Dec. 20. “I’m not an avid reader but I thought I might find books for someone else.”
Haley Goudreau of Caribou also stopped by the Book Nook on Thursday morning. Goudreau has been in the Book Nook twice now and said she appreciates how the space provides books while supporting a good cause.
“It’s really cool because we don’t have any other bookstore in this area and it helps give books to kids,” Goudreau said.
Though the Book Nook does not have employees, volunteers regularly stop in to organize shelves and unpack book donations. Locke encourages anyone who wishes to volunteer their time to contact the United Way office at (207) 764-5197.
“The great thing about this project is that it belongs to the community,” Locke said.
