By Arlene Miller, Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library

The Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library have been collecting books, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays for our upcoming annual book and tech sale, taking place during normal operating hours from October 13-15 in the Library’s Community Room. There’s still time for you to drop off a box or bag or several of each to help us make the sale a big success. For those donating three or more boxes or bags, we’ll provide a receipt for tax purposes; and if you’ve been a prolific reader who has five or more boxes to donate, we’ll be happy to pick them up for you if you call us at (856) 665-5959, ext. 7. Sorry, but we can’t take magazines, VCR tapes, or damaged books. But whether you’re donating or not, you’ll want to be sure to get to the Library that weekend to take advantage of our bargain prices. Winter is coming and who wants to be caught on a cold, snowy indoor day without a good read or a good movie?

While you’re at the Library that Friday and Saturday, take some time to check out our bake tables of cookies, cakes, cupcakes and brownies to nosh on! We’ll also be offering some packaged snacks and soft pretzels, so come see what catches your eye. There’ll be lots to choose from, but remember that our inventory sells out fast.

Tuesday, Oct. 17 will be our next Munch and a Movie, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Don’t forget your lunch, and we’ll provide snacks and beverages. If you can’t wait to see what movie we’ll be showing, call the circulation desk for the answer. Sadly, we can’t divulge it here but you know it’ll be a treat you won’t want to miss.

If you didn’t take advantage of last month’s free vision screening from America’s Best Eyeglasses, there’s another opportunity on Oct. 18 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. In addition to the eye screenings, bilingual opticians will be happy to answer your questions, tweak any loose frames and nose pieces, and give those smudged lenses a good cleaning. And if you leave your name in the special raffle box in the Library’s reference section, you’ll be eligible for a free vision test or pair of glasses.

And if all that isn’t enough for one day, the Friends will also be having a “Dine and Donate” event on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., at Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar, 923 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J. When you show your wait staff the Friends’ flyer via a printout or on your smart phone, the Friends will receive a 20 percent donation from your food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases. Flyers are available at the Library’s lobby desk or by contacting friendsoflibrary@yahoo.com.

Finally, the Friends are once again co-sponsoring “Knowledge through Books and Stamps” with the Merchantville Stamp Club. Held from Oct. 22-28 at the Pennsauken Free Public Library, this informative and enjoyable exhibit is free and open to the public during normal business hours.

While you’re at the Library for all of these great events, don’t forget to buy a few tickets for the annual Friends’ raffle. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. This year’s prizes will be six baskets of assorted gift cards, certificates, and merchandise from local restaurants and businesses and worth more than $300 each. That’s six chances to win. Six! And all for just $2 or three for $5! Who could pass up a deal like that!?! The drawing takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

In the meantime, join us at our next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m. We’ll be planning next year’s events and could use your input.