To the Editor:
On July 23 to 25, the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs (LFOB) welcomed our neighbors of all ages to the library and Town Hall for our annual summer book sale. Thanks to our year-round and summer communities and the success of this year’s sale, the Library Friends can help fund the programs, services, and collections of the Oak Bluffs Public Library.
Sincere appreciation to Library Friends volunteer el edwards for leading the book organization effort throughout the year, along with her team of Barbara McKelvey, Carol Goldstein, Valerie Kaufman, and Laurie Howick.
Huge thanks to all of our hardworking book sale volunteers (in alphabetical order): Alison Cohen (president LFOB), Sharon Burbidge, Emily Cavanaugh, Patt Dodds, el edwards, Joe Finocchio, Carol Goldstein, Laurie Howick, Valerie Kaufman, Kathleen Lott, Peter Lyons, Maureen McClintock, Barbara McKelvey, Chris McKelvey, Marilyn Miller, Muriel O’Rourke, Cynthia Redshaw, Diane Reed, Becky Rivera, Marney Toole, Richard Toole, Lynn Van Auken, Carole Walton, and Ron Zentner. Thanks also to our teen volunteer, Austin Blass. Many thanks to the town of Oak Bluffs, especially Town Administrator Wendy Brough and Executive Assistant Debra Alley. for allowing us to transform the Select Board Meeting Hall into a popular three-day bookshop. Thanks as well to Rose Cogliano and Debbie Whitney at the OBCOA for providing tables and to Sheriff’s Office personnel Amanda Cimeno and Nathan for transporting the tables. And to the movers in black T shirts with Atlas on the front who arrived in a blue-and-white Carroll’s truck (thanks to an anonymous donor) to provide much-needed extra muscle for the final Book Sale breakdown Saturday afternoon.
The Library Friends extend our sincere and ongoing gratitude to Library Director Allyson Malik and the fantastic OBPL staff for their assistance and support all year long: Mary Jane Aldrich-Moodie, Edil (“Jr.”) Babarosa, Jonathan Burke, Marco Daniels, Anna Marie D’Addarie, Michelle Lynch, Claire Phelan, Shivonne Schofield, and their summer volunteers.
And, of course, we greatly appreciate our community who generously gave their cherished books to our annual sale, and those who came to the sale, purchasing books for children and adult readers. To all who helped make the 2026 Book Sale a success: We could not do it without you! See you in July 2027.
Patt Dodds, clerk
Library Friends of Oak Bluffs
