Once Reta Tischner retired after 21 years of working as a school teacher at Salem Elementary, she wanted to dedicate her efforts in making the Salem City Library grow.

“I’m very committed to kids and books. When I retired, I said I needed to be involved and I needed to be involved with the library,” said Tischner, who’s lived in Salem since 1994.

For the last three years, Tischner has helped with the annual Salem Days’ library auction. She said her passion for books began when her mother constantly took her to the library as a child.

According to Bryce Williams, a library assistant at Salem City Library, the auction serves as a fundraiser to raise money to help with the library’s operations and fund programs throughout the year. Last year, the auction raised $15,000. This year, Tischner wants to exceed that number.

The auction features themed gift baskets, gift cards and quilts donated by locals or businesses for people to bid on.

“We had generous people that bought a lot of items, and this year we are expecting even more,” said Tischner. “It’s good advertising for [businesses] and it helps the library.”

“Everything that we get is funding that will go towards purchasing new materials like books, movies and other things,” said Williams, who has worked for the Salem Library for eight years. “They’ll go towards buying supplies and to run programs throughout the year including the Summer Reading Program.”

Williams said the reading program runs from June to August. The goal of the program is for children to maintain their reading level so that they’re prepared to commence classes in the fall. The children are asked to read and to maintain a reading chart, which can be redeemed for a prize.

“In my mind, the library is the center of the community. It’s smack dab in the middle of Salem,” Tischner said.

Tischner said her dream is to double the size of the library and calls Salem residents “generous” when it comes to raising money for a cause that serves children.

“We need a bigger library,” Tischner said. “The problem is that there is no more room. They have to get rid of an old book to get a new book.”

According to the Salem City Library website, the library houses more than 19,000 books, with 58,000 items check outed annually.

Tischner said people are anxious for the library to be bigger and better, but she doesn’t worry that it won’t happen sooner than later.

“When I die, I have told my family, I want people to donate to the Salem library for me. That’s how much I love the library,” she said.

The library auction is scheduled for the last day of Salem Days on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the pageant stage in Knoll Park. Williams said the auction will feature items appropriate for all ages.