Stacks of donated books in storage signify support for the Forsyth County Public Library.

Sitting dormant, however, doesn’t translate quickly into financial backing.

Due to a large inventory, the FCPL Friends & Advocates plan to open a small, used book store at the Cumming branch.

The store can raise money for the library year round, instead of the nonprofit group’s three seasonal book sales.

According to spokeswoman Paula Glover, the organization reached its decision during a recent membership meeting.

Since the group broadened the donation process last year to allow pick-ups, it has seen an increase in the number of donors and materials, Glover wrote in an e-mail.

"Our seasonal book sale inventory grew so fast that it was hard for us to get all the materials on display so that our sale patrons could shop," she wrote.

"We were also running out of storage space, but we didn’t want to take on the expense of renting another storage unit when we could be using that money to support additional programs at the library."

Library Director Jon McDaniel said the store likely will operate from an open office currently used for storage.

He expects the concept will benefit the library much like the book sales have, adding that the model is not uncommon for library friends’ groups.

According to treasurer Ramona Stoner, members of the Forsyth group have seen the used book store model work for others, including those in metro Atlanta.

"Our book sale events are the primary source of funds we donate to the library," Stoner said. "By continuing those sales and being able to sell year round from a central location, we can do even more to support [library] programming."

No specific date has been determined for opening the store, but Glover noted the group hopes to do so early next year.

The book store will require volunteers, who can sign up on the group’s Web site.

Despite plans for the store, the friends still set dates for March 24 and 25 at the Cumming branch for the next popular seasonal book sale.

Also at the group’s recent meeting, $2,800 from the fall book sale at the Sharon Forks branch was approved for library programming.

The funding will support the summer reading effort, youth book groups, teen programs and genealogy classes.

It will also go toward film screenings at the Hampton Park branch and an upcoming series of classes on personal finances.