Saturday's Friends of the Library book sale at the Germantown Public Library raised $1,381, money that Friends of the Library officials say they can use in more ways than ever.

Friends of the Library President Mil MacVicar said the organization had expected to raise $1,200 during the three-hour sale. She attributes much of the event's success to growing businesses in the area.

"Germantown five years ago was just a dot on the map," MacVicar said. "Then you got a big pharmaceutical company, you've got the Department of Energy, you've got umpteen different businesses that drew people in here. We are not a bedroom community."

Despite the growth of business, the Germantown Public Library has suffered serious economic setbacks in the current recession. Friends of the Library volunteers estimate the library's budget has dropped from $40 million to $28 million.

"The needs are everywhere throughout [Montgomery] county but especially in Germantown because it is the busiest [library]," Friends of the Library Corresponding Secretary Bonnie Ayers said.

            Friends of the Library stepped in to help fill some of the budget gaps. At their last board meeting, officials drew up a proposal to use five thousand dollars of its budget to buy books for the Germantown Public Library.

            "We've been pleading to buy books, and until they've had this horrible shortfall we've never been able to buy books," MacVicar said. "This is the very first time."

            The group is also in discussion with other volunteer groups in Montgomery County to find ways to keep up gardening and lawn maintenance at the facility. The Germantown Public Library has had to slash the majority of its lawn budget.

            "The budget cuts have expanded what we've been able to do," Ayers said. "It's unfortunate that we're going through these times but that's what the Friends exist for."

            Friends of the Library host the book sale at the Germantown Public Library on the second Saturday of every month, except August, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The sale offered more than just books; customers could also buy CDs, DVDs and books on tape. All items cost less than one dollar, with children's books selling for as little as 25 cents each.

            "You can see people walking out with just boxes and boxes of books!" MacVicar said.

            One of these people is Germantown resident Shanna Gonzales, who hauled a canvas tote bag filled with books out of the sale. Gonzales said she tries to go to the book sale at least once every three to four months.

            "If you know how to find them, they always have great selections," Gonzales said.