Christian Co. Library to Host Antiques Appraisal Fair

Do you have a favorite glass dish passed down in your family? Have you discovered something in the attic or at an estate sale and wonder what it’s worth? The Christian County Library Foundation is hosting an Antiques Appraisal Fair, sponsored by Cookie’s Antique World of Highlandville and the Avant Garde’n in Ozark.

The event is Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m-1 p.m. in the Netzer Room at the Christian County Library. Bring your items to appraise for just $5 per item, or purchase advanced appraisal tickets at the Christian County Library anytime.

Local appraisers Matthew Robb from Relics Antique Mall, Jim Wright, Mark Snyder, Betty Shook from Arts and Interiors by Betty Shook, and Mike Cook and associates from Mike’s Uniques will be on hand to tell you the value of your items. These appraisers specialize in silver, glassware, art, toys, furniture, jewelry, general antiques, and artifacts including Native American, Pre-Columbian and Roman. No firearms can be appraised at this event.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Christian County Library Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds towards the expansion of library facilities and services in the county. The foundation was formed in 2013 after unsuccessful attempts in 2009 and 2010 to raise the library’s tax levy rate closer to state average to fund additional branches. The library’s current tax rate is only slightly higher than a third of the average tax rate for a public library in Missouri because of Hancock Amendment rollbacks.

Since the last attempt at gaining voter approval for a new tax levy, costs of both construction and operations and demand for services and library materials have continued to climb. The Foundation and Library Board of Trustees hope to raise funds to cover some or all of the construction costs of additional library branches so that a future proposed levy increase might cover primarily operating costs.

Much has changed since the Foundation was established in 2013, but the Christian County Library District needs the financial and vocal support of the citizens it serves to help improve. If you have questions about the Library Foundation, their mission, future fundraisers, or the plan to expand library services across the county, follow online on Facebook and Twitter, and visit www.cclibraryfoundation.org. Call the library at 417-581-2432 for details.