An Alternative Approach to Furnishing Your Library

Used bookcase

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As I look around my home and home office, I see many beautiful and unique pieces of gently used, durable furniture including chairs, tables, a desk, filing cabinets, wall clocks, lamps and a bookcase.  The source of these items: resale and consignment shops, garage sales, and estate and community rummage sales.

Yes, I could have gone the more traditional route and paid retail or even wholesale plus a designer/interior decorator fee to furnish my place, but I intentionally choose to go another route – a route that was much easier on my budget, certainly more eco-friendly and one that has lent an added charm to my decor.  

Libraries might want to consider this option for a fragment of their furniture needs – especially during these economically challenging times when budgets are tight.  

Consider this.  Which is of greater value or benefit to the patrons – a brand new $3,000 display case or pair of reading chairs versus $500 in gently used pieces and $2,500 worth of books, DVDs, CDs, etc. added to the library’s collection which can be used by and loaned to the patrons?  I would say the latter.

And let’s not forget the added charm and durability factors.  Some of the best “gently used” items that can be found are incredibly unique and very well made.  For more information, see About.com's  How to Check Wood Furniture for Quality.

Granted, these alternative sources for purchasing may not always work for your library, but they certainly can on occasion.