Freeport Area Library to open its flea market Saturday, same day as September by the River event

Most people go to libraries for books, movies, magazines and related media.

Freeport Area Library offers those and something more: a flea market.

The lower level of the privately operated library along Market Street is filled with glassware, dishes, lamps, pictures, knickknacks, jewelry, vinyl records, antique keys, clothes and, yes, more books.

Head librarian Nancy Hagins said it’s open three times a year, including this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Some of its wares also will be showcased in the library’s parking lot in hopes of drawing attention prior to the noon kickoff of Freeport Renaissance Association’s September by the River festival.

People donate to the flea market throughout the year, with customers raging from collectors to dealers to the young and not so young.

“We do have young people that their parents will come in here and buy stuff for their dorm rooms,” Hagins said. “We have books for 10 cents. If your kid reads, you’re nuts not to come here.”

There are thousands of items for sale with no taxes.

Jackie Haven, library volunteer and board member, said she couldn’t tell which items were the most popular.

“Things come and go. I’ll come in, and some of the oddest things you’d think would never sell go out the door,” Haven said.

The oddest thing Haven recalled being donated was a stuffed alligator head years ago.

“Everything we sell helps keep the library going,” she said.

The flea market has been around for about 20 years. All its items are donated.

It will reopen in December and April. Dates have not been set.

The library had to cancel two markets last year because of the pandemic.

Hagins is excited to welcome people back Saturday.

“It means a lot to the library’s finances to be able to have our flea market and welcome people back into the library,” she said. “I’ll be floating around. I’ll be upstairs and I’ll be downstairs. Our board president will also be here promoting the library.”

The Freeport Area Library gets no government funding. It is not part of a library association like many in neighboring counties. Major improvements are funded largely through grants.

It survives through memberships, donations and its flea market, which usually brings in about $12,000 annually through its three events.

There are about 640 library members, with some as far way as Texas.

Memberships cost $5 for youths, $15 for adults and $20 for families.