Celebrating Rhonda King: The Heart Behind the Fort Kent Public Library's Underground Used Book Store

Rhonda King is more than just a name in ther Upper St. John Valley; she embodies the spirit of community and passion for reading. After a fulfilling career in nursing administration, she shifted her focus from caring for patients to fostering a love of literature at the Fort Kent Public Library. Her commitment shines through in her extensive work managing the Underground Used Book Store, a hidden gem located on the Main Street side of the library. This initiative not only provides affordable access to books but also plays a crucial role in fundraising, empowering the library to expand its collection of new materials.

Rhonda’s enthusiasm for the mission of the library is obvious. Each week, Rhonda dedicates many hours to sorting and organizing donations, ensuring the Underground Used Book Store is filled with diverse titles, from timeless classics like Pride and Prejudice to the latest bestsellers, such as Where the Crawdads Sing. This meticulous curation ensures that every visitor finds something that resonates with them.

The Underground Used Book Store has a unique retail model. Customers pick all the books they want and pay what they are worth to the customer or what the customer can afford. The library encourages patrons to pay what they can, making literature accessible to everyone.

The used bookstore is open during regular library hours, but a special Halloween Spooktacular Book sale will happen on Saturday, October 25 from 9-1.

The funds raised through the store have significantly bolstered library operations, enabling the purchase of new books.

Through her efforts, Rhonda has ensured that the library remains an inspiring and indispensable resource for Fort Kent.

Rhonda King sorts and shelves books in the Underground used Book Store at the Fort Kent Public Library. Through her efforts, the store has become an important tactic to bring new books into the collection. - Birden image

Rhonda’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one committed individual's actions can have on a community, one book at a time.

(This article written by Andrew Birden with the assistance of the Wix Astro AI Assistant)