Bookstore History

The FRIENDS BOOKSTORE opened for the first time in 1991 by Josephine Carson, a retired librarian and long-time member of the Friends organization. She saw the need for more than the Annual Book Sale (held, at that time, in December), because of the quantity and quality of the gifts the Library was receiving.

For 10 years now, the Friend's Bookstore has raised funds for the Friends of the Newport Library by selling used books, some discarded by the library, many donated by the public. Revenue from the Bookstore is given, by the Friends, to the Library for the purchase of books, primarily in the Reference Collection and to sponsor some library programs.

The BOOKSTORE requires the efforts of over 25 volunteers who sort, price and shelve books, as well as keep the store staffed on the six days during the week that it is open. If you are interested in volunteering to help staff the Bookstore please speak to someone in the Administration Office or email the Secretary.