Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Friends of the Calumet Public Library will host its annual used book sale this Sat., Nov. 19.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP — The Friends of the Calumet Library (FOL) will sponsor a used book sale on Sat. Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the community room adjacent to the library, FOL stated in a Monday release.

This year, FOL announced it is trying something new. This sale will be at the same time as the Old-Fashioned Christmas Bazaar held in the CLK School Gym – just across the hall from the book sale. The used book sale is open to the public.

“Come and find some books to get you through the winter and support the library while you enjoy Saturday in Calumet,” states the release. Proceeds from the book sale will go to support purchases and improvements for the library.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will sponsor library services and programs not provided for by the general library budget.

The Calumet Public School Library is a combined library that serves as both a school library and the public library in Calumet.

In recent years, funds have been used to purchase Mango Languages (a world language teaching program available to all library patrons); large print books; multiple titles for the Red Jacket Readers book club; and many new books, including additions to the children’s, YA, and adult collections. Funding also helps support evening programs at the library throughout the year.

“And after you read your newly purchased books,” suggests the release, “if any books rise to the top as possible titles to consider for our Red Jacket Readers book club, let us know. We select four books to discuss each year and are looking for suggestions now.”

Friends of the Calumet Library also invite people to become volunteers.

“Volunteers are always needed,” the release states. “Storytime read aloud, delivering large print books to local retirement communities, working with the seed library, helping with the used book sale, and many more efforts that are supported by the Friends. If you have time to give to your community, let us know and we’ll find the right fit! Contact us via Facebook, or drop your name off at the library. There’s something for everybody at the library.”

Calumet’s shared library has a long history that relates to the former Calumet and Hecla (C&H) Mining Company, around which much of Calumet Township developed.

In the early 1870s, a township library was opened in Red Jacket (later Calumet). The Calumet & Hecla 1866-1916 Semi-Centennial Edition of the Keweenaw Miner, stated that the first floor contained “cozy and pleasant” reading rooms. On the second floor was a large lecture hall.

The township library contained about 1,000 volumes. In consideration of the the building being referred to as the Calumet & Hecla Library, the company agreed to erect the new building at no cost to the public.

When completed in 1898, the new library, on the first floor, contained offices and shelf rooms, and on the second floor were shelf rooms and book racks. The building, finished in Georgia pine, was supplied with massive furniture. When the library was first opened, it housed some 6,000 volumes. By Sept. 1915, its collection had grown to more than 42,000 volumes.

The library featured books in English, German, French, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Polish, Slovenian, Croatian and Hungarian.

The financial burden of the library became too heavy for the declining mining company and in 1944, the library collection was transferred to the Calumet High School. The building was converted into office space for the Calumet and Hecla Consolidated Copper Co.

The annual used book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Calumet Public Library is the organization’s primary fundraiser, which supports library services and programs not provided for by the general library budget.

Featuring a wide variety of books, CDs, and DVDs, the collection will be on sale from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Saturday, November 19th in the library’s Community Room.