AUBURN — When library officials decided on a new direction for the annual fundraiser this year, Haley Warden was a little apprehensive about reaching out to local businesses for help. After all, it had been a tough year and things are just starting to rebound.

But, Warden, the library’s new director of engagement, was surprised by the overwhelming support.

Starting Tuesday, the library’s “Book Around Town” swag bags were available to purchase on its website, featuring several products and discount opportunities at local businesses. The bags are listed at $75, but the announcement states the actual value is $200.

“It was kind of hard to ask this year, but the amount of businesses who wanted to be involved with it, to me it was kind of surprising,” she said. “We had such an outpouring of interest.”

This type of fundraiser is new for the library, which in the past has conducted an annual silent auction. This year it’s also coinciding with a return to normal for the library, which has, until Wednesday, restricted access to only 10 people due to COVID-19.

Warden said a few fundraiser ideas were tossed around, but the library settled on the “goodie bags” as a way to involve local businesses.

“This year we really wanted to do something was going to help drive bringing back customers to local businesses and support our Auburn community and economy,” she said, adding that the library “needed something fresh.”

More than 30 businesses took part, either with discounts or gift cards like 10% off at restaurants like Gritty’s or items like koozies from Moon Stone Pottery, or BBQ sauce from 3 Spicy Boys.

Warden said businesses could either donate or sponsor the event. She said some sponsorship money was used to buy jars of preserves from the Auburn PAL Center, a neighborhood youth center.

In all, the library is hoping to sell all 100 bags, raising $7,500. The bags can be purchased through June 15 or until they are sold out.

“I am so proud of our sponsors, donors, trustees and staff,” Mamie Anthoine Ney, library director, said. “Given the transitioning we are doing from COVID to ‘open for business,’ this is a great way for everyone to tout that we’re back. What a great way for our community to get reacquainted with us all.”

On Wednesday, the library officially ended most of its COVID-19 capacity restrictions, allowing full occupancy with no appointments needed. The library is still asking patrons to wear a mask in the building in consideration of younger customers.

“I am so grateful that we are now almost fully back in business,” Ney said. “It certainly has been a long time in the making. When we closed last March, I thought that we’d be out a few weeks at the most. Never did I dream that it would take this long to open our doors wide again.”

The children and teen rooms, and computer labs are open with some capacity restrictions.

Warden said, “Our timing ended up being perfect” for launching the fundraiser.

“People are starting to get back out in the community and go back to their favorite restaurants and shops,” she said. “This is just a great way to add to that.”

Last year, the annual auction was canceled. The library was closed for several months due to the pandemic.

The swag bags can be purchased at www.auburnpubliclibrary.org, or by clicking here.

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