Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale benefits Alachua County Library District
The much-awaited Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale begins this weekend with more than 500,000 books and other items available at ridiculously low prices.
The sale, which is held each year in the spring and fall, will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 23, and from noon to 6 p.m. April 24-27, at the Book House, 430 N. Main St.. On April 26, everything will be half price, and on April 27, everything is 10 cents.
Make sure to bring boxes or bags to carry your purchases. Payment methods include cash, credit cards, checks, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Masks are encouraged for all shoppers while inside the building.
Ellen Smith, vice president of Friends of the Library (FOL), said a Scottish bagpipe player will be at the Book Sale at 9 a.m. Saturday to lead book lovers into the Book House.
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Sue Morris, publicity chairman for the FOL, said this Spring Book Sale offers books and other items in 64 categories, including classical and modern fiction, children's and young adult books, text books from preschool through graduate school, large-print books, cookbooks, hobby books, law books, audio books, music, CDs, DVDs, manga, comics, vinyl records and more. Most items are priced between 25 cents and $4.
The shelves will restocked constantly throughout the sale with new books and other materials.
The book sale began in 1950 with only 500 books, but has grown to include more than 500,000 books and other materials.
Smith said the Friends of the Library has provided the library district with more than $5.4 million since 1986 when the Alachua County Library District became an independent special taxing district. The contributions fund exceptional programming, in-demand materials and remodeled projects at library branches.
Rachel Cook, public relations and marketing manager for the Alachua County Library District, wrote via email:
“The Book Sale is an excellent opportunity for shoppers to score great deals on all kinds of books (cookbooks, romance novels, fiction, children’s books, etc.) while supporting their local libraries and literacy programs. Friends of the Library’s bi-annual sales support the Alachua County Library District in endless ways, including paying for special guest programs, creating Quiet Reading Rooms at our branches, and funding scholarships for staff to earn advanced library degrees. We are so thankful for FOL’s steadfast support and encourage everyone to visit the book sale. There’s nothing quite like the festive atmosphere in the moments before the sale opens on Saturday morning.”
The Collector's Corner, which is only open Saturday-Tuesday, is a unique feature of the book sale, and includes first editions, signed copies and rare books.
Featured book include:
• "The Dream Keeper" by Langston Hughes, first edition, rare, 1932.
• "Old Tales and Trails of Florida," by Myrtle Hilliard Crow, 1987
• "A Sermon, occasioned by the Death of George Washington delivered in the Baptist Church," Savannah Georgia, Jan. 19, 1800, very rare.
• "Dragon’s Teeth," by Upton Sinclair, first edition, 1942.
• "Trump: The Art of the Deal, 2016 Election Edition," signed by Donald Trump.
• "Been Here and Gone," by Frederick Ramsey Jr., with a letter from the author, 1960.
• "Machu Picchu, A Citadel of the Incas," by Hiram Bingham, limited to 500 copies; includes a pull-out map, first edition, 1930
The funds raised benefit Alachua County Library District projects that serve the county through its 12 branches. The FOL donates unsold books to nonprofit organizations.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale runs April 23-27 at Book House
