Open Season on Library Furniture, Computers

When the library opened its lower level doors Sunday at noon for a rare equipment sale, a few dozen people were already there, waiting to get first pick. Some actually ran into the room.

“It was crazy,” says Ken Nieman, associate director for the Ann Arbor District Library.

Who wouldn’t want a pristine white plastic carrying case for their cassette tapes or videos? Or a spare CRT monitor for just 5 bucks – especially when there’s a handwritten Post-It note on it that says “Very Good”?

Actually, the hottest items were filing cabinets and chairs, though other equipment – keyboards, printers, old computer servers and cables, other office furniture – were selling as well. “It’s amazing what people will buy,” Nieman says.

The library needed to clear out its packed-to-the-gills basement, and rather than selling smaller quantities via its website, administrators decided to make it an event.

By the time The Chronicle arrived around 1:30 p.m., only a few customers were there browsing – it was much busier in the Friends of the Library bookstore next door. Nieman said that whatever didn’t sell by the time the doors closed at 6 p.m. would be disposed of in other ways: Either taken to the ReUse Center, or sold in bulk to a computer recycler and a company that refurbishes office furniture and equipment.

Editor’s note: All library locations will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11 for a staff training day.