Barbara Carr, left, and Diane Rogers are pricing a rare book donated to Friends of the Sacramento Public Library when one of them asks, "Is this a $50 book or a $2.50 book?" Within seconds, the women in matching blue shirts price the book in unison: "Twenty-five dollars." The duo are volunteer store managers for The Book Den. The friends can read each other's thoughts as well as they read books.
In 1999, Carr and Rogers secured a cheap warehouse space and opened the store where they sell used library and donated books, video and audio books and sheet music at a fraction of what they're worth. Proceeds benefit the Sacramento Public library.
"We want to make this a community resource," Rogers said. "Getting (books) in the hands of children and people who can't afford books is one of our primary goals."
The women are united by a common purpose to serve their community, but it's the friendship between them that has helped them get through the mountains of work they've faced. Carr describes Rogers as funny and organized while Rogers describes Carr as creative and diplomatic. Those qualities combined with years of experience have created a strong team capable of organizing thousands of books.
"It's sometimes overwhelming," said Carr. "If facing it alone you would want to run."
Carr said she grew up as a person with her nose always stuck in a book and she wants to share he love with others. "It's a great escape. You get to experience worlds you would otherwise not be able to visit."
Rogers notes the discrepancies between the quality of libraries in lower income areas and more affluent areas of town. She likes the fact that funds raised by the Book Den will benefit all area libraries. They also do outreach work to organizations such as Loaves & Fishes and Stand Down Veterans.
The Book Den is open to the public on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm They are located in a warehouse at 8250 Belvedere Ave. Suite E between Power Inn Road and Florin-Perkins Road.
They are holding warehouse sales, where books are discounted even further, on Saturday October 6 and Saturday October 13 from 9 am to 4 pm.
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