El Toro : Library Raising Money Through Used Book Sale

In what may be the most silent auction possible, 20 collectible books being held at the El Toro branch of the Orange County Public Library are being sold to the highest bidders--through the mail.

According to Frank LaClave of the Friends of the El Toro Library, prospective buyers write their offers on donation sheets posted at the door of the library at 24672 Raymond Way. The books may be seen at the library. So far, he said, bids ranging from 50 cents to $10 have been received for 14 of the books. After April 13, when the auction ends, the highest bidders will be notified by telephone.

The friends of the library also are planning their semiannual used book sale, to be held in the library’s community room April 11, 12 and 13. Readers of Chinese literature may find the sale to their liking, LaClave said. Several of the books being offered are in Chinese, including a copy of Chairman Mao Tse-tung’s “Little Red Book” of quotations, he said.

Hardback books will sell for 50 cents, and paperbacks for 25 cents. April 13 will be “buck-a-bag day.” Book buyers will be able to fill a shopping bag for $1, he said.

Sale organizers hope to raise between $1,200 and $1,400, with proceeds to go to the library. Last year, book sales raised enough to buy a personal computer for public use at the library, LaClave said.