Thursday, September 17th • 5 pm – 7pm
early admission for Friends members
Thursday, September 17th • 7pm – 9pm
Friday, September 18th • 9am – 7pm
Saturday, September 19th • 9am – 7pm
Sunday, September 20th • 10 am – 3pm
Last Day Sale $10 a bag — we supply the bag
The Friends Book Carts are now located on the bottom floor across from the Circulation Desk. There is one cart for adults and one cart for children and teen books. We also have puzzles.
Selection of books on the carts change frequently. At the same great low book sale prices.
Cash, check, and charge are accepted for payment. Friends also sells a small number of books online at higher prices. Interested in browsing what we have for sale online on our Amazon storefront? CLICK HERE.
Then you already know how much the Friends organization supports the Library. Many of the programs and activities would not be possible without the support of Friends.
Not a member yet? Why not join? Your membership gives you early access to our great Fall Book Sale and an exclusive invite to our Annual Meeting in June.
Please consider with your membership an additional donation to our ‘Raise the Tent’ campaign to offset costs of hosting the Book Sale. Membership starts at just $10 for Seniors.
To join online scroll to the bottom of this page or if you prefer, pick up a membership form at the library and drop off with the library staff.
Today we have over 70 volunteers that work during the year in support of Friends. If you have the desire to find out what openings might be available, please contact us at the following email address: friends@blackstonelibrary.org.
Who are we?
Friends is a 501c3 all volunteer non-profit organization formed in 1988.
We are also a supporting organization as defined by the IRS.
Our sole mission is to support the Blackstone Library through fundraising and advocacy.
What do we do for the library?
Since 1988, Friends has given the library over $1.2 M with over $700K of the money in the last 8 years. For the fiscal year ending June 2025- we gave the library $80K.
We fund museum passes, museum key/lending key, children/teen/adult programs, Hoopla/Kanopy/Transparent languages, Quick picks, Movie license, Best Seller book club, printing of the quarterly calendar/ brochures, staff/professional development and appreciation, event registration software. We also make year-end special gifts for furniture, end caps, renovation and other special needs. We also participate in outreach activities to promote the library and literacy.
How do we raise money?
Collect and sell donated books and other materials such as DVDS, CDS, Vinyl, etc. at our Annual Fall Book Sale, Spring Sale and in-house library cart sales. We also raise money by selling higher priced books online through eBay and Amazon. In addition, we solicit sponsorships to support our book sale from local businesses/individuals. And we hold a Holiday basket sale at the library in December. Currently we also have over 470 Friends memberships (memberships start at $10 a year). Our budgeted revenue from all these activities for this fiscal year is $144K.
Where does the money go?
We are unique among most Friends organizations in that we do not have space provided by the library or the town to store the books or host the book sale. Budgeted operating expenses are $89K (to include these items and other costs). Our budgeted commitment to the library this year is $56K. We strive to control expenses at or below our budgeted targets in order to have more money to gift to the library.
How you can help Friends? Help support us by becoming a Friends Member. Visit blackstonelibrary.org/friends.
Drop your unwanted books in the Friends donation bin behind the library or at 30 Harrison Ave.
Attend a Friends sponsored concert or program at the library and tell your friends and family about all the great work Friends does in support of the library and the community.
Spring 2026 | Winter 2025 | Summer 2025 | Spring 2025 | Winter 2025 | Fall 2024 | Summer 2024 | Spring 2024 | Winter 2024 | Fall 2023
If you have a question for the Friends, please email us at friends@blackstonelibrary.org. Like us on Facebook!
Stan Abramowitz
Jon Bloom
Pat Bourne
Bob Deschamps
Joe Genua
Jane Kenealy
Susan Stackpole
Bylaws (Updated July 2025)
Join the Friends with a membership starting as low as $10 for seniors and students, individuals are $15, etc. A membership helps us to support the library. As a member you receive quarterly Marble Columns mailing as well as exclusive early access to the Fall Book Sale.
– Seniors (60+): $10
– Students: $10
– Individual: $15
– Family: $20
– Good Friend: $30
– Benefactor: $50
– Best Friend: $100
