West Ashley now has a used bookstore inside the Citadel Mall
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
I don’t have much patience for folks who downplay Citadel Mall. When I mention the creative ways empty storefronts are being used, they often look blank.
Sure, sure. We’d all love a few edgy new shops, but have you taken your kids to the Model Train Museum? Gone to a show at the Planetarium? Have you learned a new skill at Reforge Charleston, or asked a gardening question at the Clemson Extension TEACH Center? Did you buy a plant at the recent Master Gardener plant sale? Perhaps you have pulled up for outpatient services at MUSC’s clinic. Did I mention plenty of parking? Heck, I once had a COVID-19 test done in the mall parking lot to be an extra on The Righteous Gemstones TV series.
Did you know we have a used Bookstore?
I walked around Citadel Mall on a recent rainy day (don’t knock it, all the cool seniors are doing it), and checked in on the recently opened used book store staffed by Friends of the Library volunteers. Romanda Lee, a West Ashley resident and Dean Jacobsen, new to Charleston, were on duty that day and their only wish was to be busier, so let’s get the word out. Charleston County Friends of the Library encourages us all to get involved by donating books, attending events, volunteering and donating funds to support their mission of promoting literacy and learning.
Leah Donaldson is the Executive Director of the Charleston Friends of the Library. Arriving from New York thirteen years ago with an extensive background in non-profit agencies, Leah has had what she describes as her dream job for the last two years.
Her immediate message to share is that the annual Big Book Sale, the Library’s popular signature event, will be held June 5-8 at the Omar Shrine Auditorium, located at 176 Patriots Point Road in Mt. Pleasant.
Movers have been hired to deliver over 50,000 books with something sure to appeal to everyone. Most books will be priced from $1 to $4, with specially priced premium books available. Look for a big children’s section, South Carolina history, cookbooks, fiction, romance, and mystery. There will be opportunities to meet local authors and a raffle supporting teachers. Funds raised will fund programs at the 18 branches of the Charleston County Library and support local literacy.
I have a sneaky feeling Leah doesn’t need to go to a gym. Heavy boxes of books are constantly being reshuffled between libraries and for events. As the main downtown Library is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment early next year, the Friends of the Library stock will be gradually delivered to the Citadel Mall location for sorting.
The front part is the shop, open to the public and is updated daily. The hours during the current soft opening are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays to allow them to work out the kinks in the new model.
Mark your calendars for the Grand Opening of the Citadel Mall store, June 23-28. All proceeds from the sale of books go to the library. They anticipate expanded hours, book signings, author events and hope to connect to Citadel Mall themed events and holidays. Hoping for longer hours? Consider volunteering and make it possible.
I was a bookworm as a child and without a pause, Leah shared that her favorite childhood books were the Nancy Drew series. The adventure books started her lifelong love of reading.
“When you buy a book, you aren’t just buying books, you are supporting Charleston County Library and local literacy.”
For more information, to volunteer or donate gently used books, visit www.charlestonlibraryfriends.org or email director@charlestonlibraryfriends.org
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for upcoming columns to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
