Bookworms raise money for local nonprofit
People waited with bags, totes and even large moving boxes in anticipation of the library’s annual used book sale, which is one of several that happens in partnership with Friends of the Knox County Public Library.
Since 1970, Friends of the Knox County Public Library has fostered a love of libraries, books and reading in the area.
They raise money for local libraries, having donated more than $1 million dollars to the Knox County Public
Library, according to their website.
“I’m not sure how long we have been hosting the book sale here, but we love our Friends of the Library organization,” said James Mauk, the branch manager at the Farragut library. “They’re great partners and support us here at the library and we are happy to have them.”
This event is one of several across the area. The Cedar Bluff location will be hosting a sale on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A sale with the same hours will unfold at the Bearden library Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5.
“For a lot of years,” said Chris Truka, the Farragut branch lead for Friends of the KCPL. “I only joined about a year-and-a-half ago, so I can’t tell you how many years.
But I’m guessing at least 10 or 15. Long time. But for the sales this year, every sale we’ve had has broken records from the previous sale.
“More people in line when we get here in the morning and more sales. So they are growing in popularity and we love that. That’s why we had to expand in here this year because we didn’t have enough room for all the people.”
With an expansion into the library from the atrium area, Truka said the Farragut event raised a total of $7,465.45 between last Friday and that Saturday, Sept. 12.
“Part of the money is set aside for branch use,” Truka wrote in an email. “During fiscal year 2025-2026, Knox County branches spent almost $21,000 on purchases ranging from furniture to art supplies.”
To mitigate the amount spent on such supplies, events like last weekend’s sale are held throughout the year. Adults and children alike dug into everything from mysteries to sports novels and cookbooks to find ones that they would enjoy.
“That’s our goal, to get books back in the hands of children, mostly, and adults when we can,” Truka said last Saturday. “I just spoke with a lady I took a basket to, and she said, ‘I never expected to be so successful today.’ So that’s the people we want here.”
She said bookworms lined up as early as 8:15 that morning in anticipation of the event. But aside from working, Truka also finds happiness in seeing others discover the joy of reading.
“I’ve been involved with libraries since I was a kid, working in school libraries and then once thought about being a librarian,” she said. “For me to go back and be a volunteer and help with books and things, that has fulfilled a childhood desire.”
To find out more about Friends of the KCPL, visit their website, knoxfriends.org.
