A popular event that usually takes place as part of the Summer Reading Program at Moores Memorial Library in Christiana is the appearance of Jesse Rothacker, known as The Reptile Guy. Founder of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, Rothacker's programs feature live animals, including snakes, lizards and turtles.

To assure that the program will be financially possible, the Friends of Moores Memorial Library will utilize proceeds from their upcoming spring book sale to raise funds for the appearance.

"We hope the book sale will allow us to make enough money to hire him back," explained Friends vice president Jeannette Kolb. "This year, we are having the book sale for something special. Maybe people who like him will come to the book sale."

"(For his past appearance), we packed the house on a Thursday night. We had an overflow crowd. The kids just love him," added library director Trish Vandenbosch, noting that this year's Summer Reading Program theme will be "Color Our World."

The book sale will take place in the Read Moore Book Store and community room, located in the lower level of the library, 9 W. Slokom Ave., Christiana. Sale hours are Thursday, March 6, from noon to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

A bag sale will also be featured where shoppers may fill a bag of books for a set price. Bags will be provided by the library. "We will have a bag sale every day of the sale, not just the last day," said Kolb.

Offered for sale will be inspirational books and Bibles, cookbooks, large-print books and children's books, as well as paperback and hardback adult fiction. To accommodate the growing collection, the Friends members installed shelving along the perimeter of the community room, which is where all of the hardback nonfiction is located.

"The fiction will be sorted by authors," said Kolb, noting popular authors include Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Stuart Woods and James Patterson. There will also be a large selection of DVDs and puzzles offered for sale.

In addition to the spring and fall book sales, shoppers may find quality used books at reasonable prices at the Read Moore Book Store, which is open on Mondays through Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The featured books on sale come from community donations and the library's collection.

Those who visit the Read Moore Book Store will notice that items are displayed on unique shelving, including a canoe and a baby grand piano. There are bookshelves made from rain gutters, and the young adult section features books displayed on skateboards. Since the library's building once was home to a bank, shoppers can find rare and unique books in the "vault." For more information about the store, visit http://www.facebook.com/ReadMooreBookStore.

Volunteers with the Friends group maintain and run the store, which raises funds for library programming. The Friends group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. Prospective members are invited to visit http://www.christianalibrary.org/friends for more details.

To learn about upcoming library events, contact the library at 610-593-6683, visit www.christianalibrary.org or search for "Christiana Library" on Facebook.