Friends of Library Christmas Book Sale Boosts Local Literacy Support

Friends of the Library staged a full day book sale at the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library on December 6 at 401 Bramlett Boulevard in Oxford. The sale featured rare and signed editions plus titles of local interest, and the library accepted cash or checks only. Proceeds from the sale were directed to support the library and the Friends group that organized the event.

The sale was organized through the local branch of First Regional Library, a five county public library cooperative that operates fourteen branches across northern Mississippi. The cooperative structure allows Lafayette County residents to draw on a wider collection of materials and shared services, while Friends groups provide supplemental funding and volunteer support at the branch level.

For local residents the sale served multiple purposes. It offered low cost options for holiday gifts, spotlighted materials of regional interest, and provided a visible mechanism for citizens to invest in public library resources outside the municipal budget process. Community run fundraisers such as this one can help cover program costs, support acquisitions, and underwrite outreach efforts that may not be fully funded through routine appropriations.

The cash and check only policy has practical implications for accessibility. Residents who rely primarily on electronic payments may have been unable to participate without making special arrangements. Those with questions about payment alternatives or who wish to volunteer for future events were advised to contact the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library at (662) 234 5751.

The sale also reinforces the role of civic volunteers in sustaining public institutions. As local officials consider budget and service priorities in the coming months, community fundraising and volunteer engagement remain an important indicator of public support for library services across Lafayette County and the First Regional Library cooperative.