Silent auction ends well

The Thompson Falls Library Silent Auction came to a close on last Saturday, Dec. 4, after a very successful run, according to event organizer Karen Harlan.

Weather caused a bit of a hitch in the event’s early days, but things only improved from there, Harlan said

“It started out slow in the couple of days before Thanksgiving, because the weather has been so bad,” Harlan said. “But now, it’s just been gangbusters.”

As of Saturday afternoon’s tally, the event has raised over $6,000. The amount could exceed last year’s total as the numbers are officially calculated.

“That’s just sort of a thumbnail sketch,” Harlan said.

The proceeds from the event will go to fund library projects over the course of the year. According to Karen Harlan, organizer of the event, the money goes a long way in funding library improvements.

“This year, we were able to buy a secure book drop to replace the old book drop, which was not secure and it was hard on the books,” Harlan said. “In previous years, we’ve gotten shelving, equipment, computers, software, genealogy research tools, supplies that the library can’t afford, but would like to have.”

The Friends of the Library also sponsor the children’s reading program, the living and learing series, special events, and also the books for newborns at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital.

“It’s a really nice community outreach,” Harlan said.

According to Harlan, the library has seen a lot of increased traffic without a lot of increased revenue in the last couple of years, so the Friends try to fill in the gaps.

The first silent auction started about 10 years ago as a smaller auction, and that started with about 30 items, and it has since grown over the years.

Preparations for next year’s auction begin almost immediately after the auction takes place. This is so the Friends have enough time to compile donated items to be auctioned.

“We have really a broad base of community members who donate their time, their talents, and their items,” Harlan said.

The auctions generate several thousand dollars in revenue, which varies year to year. Of the various fundraising events that the Friends organize, the silent auction is the biggest.

“The book sales make money for the library; we also do online book sales. But this is the big one,” Harlan said.

For Harlan, one of the most enjoyable aspects of organizing this event is having the opportunity to work with so many people towards a common goal.

“You get to meet all of the donors and the volunteers, and all of the people who come and shop, so I would say that’s the best part of it,” Harlan said. “Plus, it’s gratifying to have the resources afterwards to help the library get what they need.”

According to  Lynne Kersten, library director, this fundraiser is integral part of sustaining the library.

“Without our Friends of the Library, our library would not be anywhere near as great as it is,” Kersten said, “especially for our size of town.”

According to Harlan, members of the community have given significantly at this year’s event.

“People have been very generous this year,” Harlan said, “and are probably feeling a little better about the economy.”

After the event concluded Saturday afternoon, Harlan and Kersten entered the bids into their computer, where they were electronically sorted. All of the winners were then contacted on Sunday and Monday evening, and winners were instructed to pick up their items at the Library Annex on Tuesday. But before the bids were tallied, Harlan voiced a wish for all of the people who had so generously supported the library.

“I hope everybody is a winner,” Harlan said.