The non-profit “Friends of the Boise Public Library” has been selling donated books to raise money for library projects for the last 50 years. “The Friends” as they’re known, have been renting more than 11,000 square feet in a warehouse next to the downtown Library to store, sort and sell the 30 boxes of donated books they get every day, all year, every year.
At least they were, until the coronavirus pandemic hit Idaho. They stopped having physical sales, stopped taking donations and had to close their “Tree City” bookstore inside the main library. Their fundraising dropped off dramatically. Then they found out they were losing their warehouse space, as the owners plan to build a new 12-story retail and parking space.
Now, in their 50th anniversary year, “The Friends” are homeless and struggling. And they’re hoping they can find an “angel” with a large building who can help.
Jill Johnson and Jim James are board members of “The Friends” and are joining Idaho Matters to talk about how the Treasure Valley can help.
If you have a space the Friends of the Boise Public Library could use, email treecitybooks@gmail.com. While they search for a new space, "The Friends" are planning some online auctions and/or pop-up sales.
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