Bookworms in the area can help their local library and find their next good read at the same time.

Friends of Mountville Library, which support the Lancaster Public Library - Mountville Branch, will hold their spring book sale Friday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mountville Church of the Brethren, 60 Clay St., Mountville, which is across the street from the library.

"We will have a wide variety of books," said Karen Denlinger, president of the Friends of Mountville Library. "If you are a knitter or crocheter, we have lots of books about that. (We have) lots of sports books." There will be many books from 2022 to the present day.

"This is for people who love books," Denlinger said. "Instead of paying $20 for a book that was published in 2024, they can get that book for $5. A lot of people come for the jigsaw puzzles." In addition to books and jigsaw puzzles, Denlinger said the sale will feature DVDs, CDs, and some games.

She recalled a time when people traveled from Honey Brook just for the event. "We're small, but we're good," said Denlinger.

Friends of Mountville Library help the branch operate by providing the funds to buy books and facilitate programs, Denlinger said.

"The Friends board is important to the library because we try to formulate ideas of how we can raise money and help the library to function and help them add more programs and materials," Denlinger said. "(We are) spreading the word of how wonderful the library is."

The organization actually gained momentum after COVID caused the cancellation of two sales. "When people realized they couldn't use the library, I think it was devastating for some," said Denlinger, who read books during the library's story time after retiring from her job as a teacher. "They didn't realize how important it was. They come to use the computer. Sometimes if they're alone in their house, they just come here to read and to see other people."

Although Friends of Mountville Library have been successful in their fundraising efforts, the need is bigger than ever. "Another reason people should support the library and the different things we do is because our funding has been cut," said Denlinger.

The Friends group is composed solely of its 12-member board and does not have any additional members. "We don't really have a Friends group, but we have people who make donations," Denlinger said. "Basically, my feeling is anybody who comes to the library is a friend of the library."

In addition to semiannual book sales, the organization holds several other fundraisers.

The annual plant sale will be held Friday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at Mountville Church of the Brethren. In the past, people have dug up perennials to donate and have provided gardening equipment. Businesses also contribute. Anyone interested can place preorders for flowers. The first plant sale 10 years ago generated $600. Last year's sale raised $5,000.

Boulders Miniature Golf and Scoops Ice Cream & Grille, 312 Primrose Lane, Mountville, will host a fundraising event Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. A percentage of food sales and mini golf ticket sales will be donated to Friends of Mountville Library.

Beginning Monday, June 2, the Mountville branch will be selling mini golf tickets that can be used anytime during the summer and will receive a portion of the proceeds.

For more information about Friends of Mountville Library and their fundraising events, go to https://lancasterpubliclibrary.org/branches/mountville-branch/ or call the library at 717-285-3231.