MERRIMACK – At the Merrimack Public Library, they’re looking for the book giver.

Last week, library managers, holding their regular January book sale, found seven boxes of science fiction books left by an anonymous donor.

Library workers typically hold on to a handful of the books they take in for the book sale, to be repaired and worked into the library collection. But they have never before found seven boxes worth of science fiction books in good condition waiting for them.

“It was great. We were there, just bringing (the boxes) in, unpacking them, and it was like, ‘Wow, these are really great books,’”said Janet Angus, the library director, who has spent the last week trying to identify the anonymous donor.

“We don’t have too many science fiction books, so these will help a lot,” she said. “This is very generous.”

Library managers typically hold three book sales each year, one in the spring, one in the fall and one in the winter, to raise money for operations and events. And, in addition to the funds raised, they often keep some of the books to go toward their collection.

“It’s not a huge number,” Angus said of the books kept. “A lot of the books are older or not in great condition. (It’s) nothing like this.”

However rare, those books help to the library to save money. Library officials typically spend about $80,000 each year repairing and replacing books, Angus said. So these offerings will help offset at least a fraction of those costs, allowing library workers to add to their collection free of charge.

“It’s not a ton (of money), but every little bit helps,” Angus said.

Some of the donated books are already on the shelves, while others are being repaired. But, even as they finish going through the donations, library managers are still looking for their book giver.

They request that the anonymous donor call library workers at 424-5021 so they can express their thanks.

“People are always good to us, but this was really unexpected,” Angus said Monday. “It’s really a nice thing.”

Jake Berry can be reached at 594-6402 or jberry@nashuatelegraph.com.