Among Friends: Falmouth Public Library's Summer Book Sale

Article and photos by Franklin B. Tucker, editor of Belmont Patch who just happened to be in Falmouth.

Under a brilliant Cape summer sky, hundreds descended on the front lawn of the Falmouth Public Library Friday, July 5, to bundle up bargains or just waste an hour at the annual Friends of the Falmouth Public Library's Summer Book Sale.

With many sporting newly-minted red noses and shoulders from an Independence Day frolic on the beach, residents and vacationeers were lured to the annual book sale as a reprise from the sun, enjoying a cool ocean-side breeze as they perused and purchased books under the stern gaze of Katherine Lee Bates' statue.

"It's one of the more lucrative I have seen," said Friend Mary Barry as she sat with her cash box waiting for bibliophiles to purchase just the right book to read whether on the shore or when the next rainy day arrives.

Under four large white tents, hard core and casual readers leisurely sauntered along long tables overflowing with best-sellers of several years ago, collection of histories, dog-eared travel books and scholarly biographies, enjoying the renderings of fiddler Anna Magee. There was even a table of color-coordinated books to be used as decor for a room.

"One residents told me year after year, he envisions Falmouth raising several feet in altitude due to the weight of the books leaving town for the beach and vacation homes around the Cape," said Barry. 

The Friends of the Falmouth Public Library's Summer Book Sale continues today, Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will also run for two hours on Monday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon.