Courtesy photo The Friends of the Alpena Library Hidden Bookstore logo is pictured.

ALPENA — The Friends of the Alpena Library (FOL) will host an open house on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Judy Stillion Conference Room on the third floor of the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library to celebrate the relaunch of the Hidden Bookstore (HBS), according to a FOL press release.

FOL is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its own board and members and exists to support the library, investing proceeds into programs the library cannot fund on its own, the release stated.

FOL explained that the HBS opened in June 2024 and operates out of a former storage room on the library’s third floor. An extension of FOL’s annual used book sale, the bookstore relies on donations of books and other materials from the community.

“We refer to the Hidden Bookstore as a hidden gem,” Sharon Engstrom, president of FOL, said in the release. “We know we’re a little hard to find, but it is worth the search.”

“We try to offer a more curated selection of titles in the bookstore since we cannot accommodate large numbers of volumes. Books are $1 each, or 50 cents for children’s books,” Diane Block said in the release. “We enjoy assisting the public with finding their next great read.”

FOL accepts small donations of books throughout the year for the HBS, in addition to larger donations in the weeks leading up to the annual book sale.

“We know people not only appreciate the bargains they find at the annual sale but also the opportunity for responsible disposal of books they no longer want. Now they can find bargains and donate in smaller quantities year-round,” Engstrom said in the release.

The HBS is open to the public year-round each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the open house will kick off additional hours on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. You do not need to be a member of FOL or have a library card to participate, according to the release.

“But we are always accepting members. Individual dues are $10 annually,” FOL Treasurer Lois Gibbs said in the release.

Membership forms can be found on the FOL page of the library’s website. Contact friends@alpenalibrary.org or follow FOL on Facebook and Instagram.

HBS GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: Third floor of the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, off the Judy Stillion Conference Room

Hours: Wednesdays — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays — 4 to 6 p.m. (beginning Tuesday)

Pricing: Adult books — $1 and children’s books — 50 cents

Donations accepted: Small donations are accepted year-round; larger donations are welcomed before the annual book sale