A hub of volunteerism, local events and all-around Mercer Island booster and owner Roger Page are seeking volunteers of their own in late June - early July to recarpet the book store.
Page sent an email earlier this week asking for volunteers, paid or unpaid, to help move books in and out of the store as professionals replace the 19-year-old carpet — which is partly held together, joked Page, by a healthy amount of duct tape.
Volunteers must be able to lift 50-pound boxes of books and work for two hours at a time.
You can sign up directly by visiting the store or via email by sending a message to info@mercerislandbooks.com with the subject line, “Duct Tape Retirement.”
Here's the announcement for interested volunteers:
This letter is a humble plea for help.
19 years ago, I, and one very strong carpet installer, replaced 4,000 square feet of dissolving red checked carpet at Island Books on a series of hot summer nights. The experience of moving books and working on my knees until midnight so scarred me that I swore I would be gone before it was time to do it again. Well, it’s time, and I’m still here.
Our landlord has insisted that the duct tape and wine stains be retired, so we are with some trepidation scheduling a big recarpeting. But this time, we could really use some help! What were looking for is able-bodied brawn that can take direction and work fast. The carpet will be laid by pros over three nights and we will be moving books and shelves at beginning and end of each day so as to impinge as little as possible on the important retail day. We will gladly accept volunteers, pay ten dollars an hour, or offer fifteen dollars an hour in store credit. We are looking for 8-10 people per shift.
Here’s the schedule:
- Saturday June 30th, 4-6pm
- Sunday July 1st, 8-10am
- Sunday July 1st, 4-6pm
- Monday July 2nd, 8-10am
- Monday July 2nd, 4-6pm
- Tuesday July 3rd, 8-10am
We will have a sign up sheet at the store, or you can email me if and when you can work at info@mercerislandbooks.com with the subject line, “Duct Tape Retirement.” (And please if you can’t lift 50lbs and work for two hours don’t sign up, I don’t want anybody hurt for the sake of books!)
The good news is that all this dust-making means the bookstore, and the owners, will have a new lease on the life and privilege of community bookselling.
Roger Page
Owner and Bookseller
