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Lahaina Public Library benefits from MFOL used bookstores

By Staff | Oct 31, 2013

The Maui Friends of the Library bookstore now sells new Hawaiiana books and a large collection of used books to benefit local libraries.

LAHAINA – Ending one of the most successful periods in its 101-year-old history, the Maui Friends of the Library (MFOL) is celebrating “National Friends of the Library Week” by announcing that it contributed $50,000 to support eight county libraries in the year ending Sept. 30, 2013.

The total includes $9,500 to repaint the exterior of the historic Lahaina Public Library and additional funds to finance a portion of the interior work as part of a major renovation without use of public funds.

The group spent $10,000 sponsoring programs and events at public libraries in Lahaina, Kahului, Kihei, Wailuku, Hana, Lahaina, Lanai, Makawao and Molokai, and MFOL provided an additional $14,000 for equipment and new furniture, $6,000 for supplies and $11,000 for subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.

Through MFOL, children were able to enjoy summer reading and story telling, and adults enjoyed chamber music concerts.

Record revenue from the group’s three used bookstores at The Wharf Cinema Center, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center and its original Puunene location made the contributions possible, President Dorothy Tolliver said.

MFOL has collected and sold tens of thousands of books in the last year, led by its Ka’ahumanu store next to Sears.

“We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of residents and visitors who shop for books at our stores, and also all those who donate books to us. We are so thankful to our patrons, donors and volunteers, without whom none of this extra help for our libraries would be possible,” noted Tolliver.

One of the oldest non-profits on Maui, the MFOL bookstores always need volunteers to help.

Those wishing to help are encouraged to stop by any one of the stores and ask for a volunteer application.