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Library auction will focus on autographed novels
By Gina Story, Staff WriterIn the second week of December, Cindy Cox began a letter-writing campaign. She composed and sent more than 250 letters to some of the most renowned authors in the country, asking for an autographed copy of their books to be put up for auction to benefit the children's department of the library. The authors have responded, and on May 3 more than 300 autographed books will be up for auction during the “A Novel Event” fund-raiser, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Caldwell Reads. The idea came last fall when author Sharyn McCrumb spoke at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. In passing, McCrumb mentioned that she had sent an autographed copy of her book entitled “Once Around The Track” to NASCAR driver Ward Burton for one of his fund-raising auctions. It only took a few weeks after the letters were mailed for authors to begin responding by sending the books. Some even wrote personal letters wishing the Friends of the Library good luck with the fund-raiser. These books aren't from obscure authors either. “Some people have been excited to know we have Martha Stewart's cookbook and books from current best-selling authors like David Baldacci and John Grisham,” Cox said. “We just got a book from Tasha Tudor. She's an illustrator of children's books. She's 92.” Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks, noted children's authors Jerry Spinelli and Barbara Robinson have sent books. There also is an autographed copy of the best-selling “Boone” by Robert Morgan available for bidding. The books that have arrived so far cover a wide variety of genres for adults, teens and children. “We have current fiction. We have classics. We have children's books. We have some books for teenagers. We have books on hiking and books on racing,” Cox said. “It's just unbelievable.” Cox hopes that the thought of getting an autographed book will be enough to get Caldwell County residents to open their wallets for a good cause. “I think if you're a dedicated reader you can just imagine that person creating the book and actually signing your copy,” she said. “An autographed book has always been a treasure to me.” No goal has been set for the fund-raiser, and the Friends of the Library will be very happy with whatever money is raised from the event. Cox said youth librarian Sarah Greene has been looking at other libraries and getting an idea about the things that she would like to do to improve the children's room at the Lenoir branch of the Caldwell County Public Library. On May 2, from 2 to 4 p.m., the books will be on display in the downstairs meeting areas of the Lenoir branch of the Caldwell County Public Library. The public will be able to view the books and make bids at that time. The books will be available at “A Novel Event” fund-raiser from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 3. Bidding in the silent auction will end at 8:15 p.m. While the event's silent auction will help raise funds for the library, there will be other events going on as well.
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