Used-book sales, bake sales and raffles to support local libraries are a time-honored tradition.

Each year, Friends of the Library groups come up with creative ideas to raise money for their local book-borrowing bank.

But this year, the stakes are much higher. State subsidies, money many libraries count on to keep their doors open, are expected to be as much as 50 percent lower.

So libraries are looking to their support organizations for help.

In Greenville, Friends of the Library is holding what is being billed as the biggest book sale ever.

Greenville Area Public Library was hit doubly hard this year, not only by the cuts in state funding but also by a $5,000 funding cut from the beleaguered borough government.

The library, with a yearly budget of $185,000, is in serious peril.

"We count on the Friends of the Library for their support throughout the year," said Sheila Kretser, the library's executive director. "We really count on them to get through."

Nancy Yauger, president of Friends of the Library, said this year's book sale, which runs Thursday through Saturday, was helped by donations from the community and schools.

"We had a friendly competition between all of the elementary school classrooms in Greenville schools to see which class could donate the most books," Mrs. Yauger said.

The winning class will be treated to a pizza party.

In all, the elementary students were able to collect more than 6,000 books for the sale, including a complete set of brand new Harry Potter books.

Also, Mrs. Yauger said, the Friends asked residents to donate books left over from their yard sales. That campaign resulted in about a dozen gifts, she said.

"With fund-raisers like this, the community benefits and the library benefits," Mrs. Yauger said.

"We're giving something in return for a donation, not just asking for money. In these tough economic times, we like to offer something in return."

The Friends also held a plant sale, a "library lunch" and a garage sale.

Linda Bennett, librarian for Grove City Community Library, said the efforts of the Grove City Friends are much appreciated.

The chapter's book sale, held in August, raised $1,900 for the library; and, through other fund-raisers, the Friends contributed an additional $5,000.

Other Friends of the Library fund-raisers planned in the area:

   » Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Brookfield branch: Friends of the Brookfield Library are selling raffle tickets for October prize giveaways.

Raffle tickets are available through Tuesday. For information, call library trustee Elizabeth Boozer at 330-448-8990.

   » Shenango Valley Community Library in Sharon: A book sale will be held at the library on Sharpsville Avenue from Tuesday through Sunday. Hours for the sale are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

   » Grove City Community Library: A cookbook compiled from recipes submitted by patrons of the library is on sale now. Recipes from the book will be featured at a bake sale sponsored by the Friends.

The baked goods and the cookbook will be offered at the Grove City community Fall Fest Oct. 11.

   » Mercer Area Library: A used book sale will be held today through Saturday at the library on North Pitt Street. Wednesday is half-price day, and on Thursday shoppers can fill a bag for $1. Books will be free Friday and Saturday.