When Books on Central first opened its doors in October of last year, it was more than just a place to buy books—it was the beginning of something special for our community. Over the past year, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the support of our customers, we've not only provided thousands of affordable, like-new books but also made a tangible impact by donating all proceeds to local nonprofits.
At the heart of our bookstore’s success are volunteers like Marie and Dan Pagel, a dedicated couple who have been with us since day one. Marie first learned of the bookstore through the grapevine of the renovation of the old jewelry store downtown. She stopped by after seeing Dave Campbell’s truck parked outside. Early on, Marie brought in books and asked how they could volunteer.
“We’re huge book lovers,” Marie stated. “I think the unique part of the bookstore is the volunteers.”
From sorting through book donations to assisting customers in finding their next great read, the Pagels have devoted two Saturdays a month to making Books on Central a warm and welcoming place. Their passion and commitment embody the spirit of our mission: providing affordable books while supporting local causes.
“It’s a great place to spend a shift. There is soft music and no one who comes in is in a bad mood,” Dan emphasized. “The bookstore’s a gorgeous room with woodwork from the jewelry store.”
Some books they’ve received were printed in the 40-50s but still in immaculate condition. Instead of going to a big box store and spending $20, readers are getting it here for $5-6 and finding treasures they’ve read 20 years ago and were looking for. One of their most popular genres is children’s books. Teachers would walk out with stacks of books for their students.
“We have such a wide variety of genres down here. There’s something down here for everyone, true crime, self-help, and children’s books” Dan pointed out.
Beyond offering budget-friendly books, Books on Central has become a vital part of the community—a place where people can connect, explore new interests, and contribute to something bigger. Every dollar spent in the store goes directly back to local organizations, funding essential programs that are partners of Rice County Area United Way. In just the last six months of July - December, thanks to customers like you and dedicated volunteers, we've raised $12,000 to give back to the community we love.
“I think the fact that the money goes back into the community is a big factor,” Dan shared.
“We never know what a shift will bring us. We’ve never worked a shift that didn’t have anyone bring in a book,” Marie said. “Nobody comes in here because they have to. They come in here because they want to. Even if you’re not a book lover, just seeing the unique things, it’s an experience you just have to be here to experience.”
Without our dedicated volunteers, Books on Central simply wouldn’t exist. Whether it’s behind the counter, organizing shelves, or spreading the word about our mission, our volunteers are the heartbeat of our bookstore, putting books in our community and supporting our community.
“So much mental health, so much knowledge comes from putting books in children’s hands, and I think reminding people that electronics have their place, but this is back to basics and putting books in people’s hands again. You can just watch the blessings and joys that come from that,” Marie highlighted.
Here’s to another year of books, community, and giving back together.
Written by Masyn Rykhus