Friends of the Library will host book sale in Gainesville

Friends of the Library in Alachua County will celebrate its 70^th anniversary with another spring book sale featuring treasures donated by members of the community.

This year’s spring FOL book sale will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and run from noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday at the FOL building at 430 N. Main St.

“Over these 70 years we have donated well over a million dollars to promote literacy in Alachua County,” said Sue Morris, spokesperson for FOL. “I love that these sales provide a wonderful opportunity to get these books into the hands of children to stimulate them to excel in their literacy development, especially children whose families have limited means. Reading opens all doors to their future ability to reach their potential.”

The book sale started with a small group of volunteers in 1954 that raised $80 for the library district and has grown to at least 200 volunteers who organize and prepare the community-donated items for two sales every year — one in the spring and one in the fall.

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The sale will have 500,000 gently used books of all genres, paintings and posters, games, puzzles, movies, CDs, vinyl records, music, magazines and much more, Morris said.

“I love seeing the happy excitement of everyone—young and old alike—who come to these sales anticipating the bargain prices they are guaranteed to find,” Morris said. “Many of the thousands of people who come to these sales are repeat shoppers who bring their children and grandchildren as they were brought as children. I love the amazed wonder on the faces of first-time shoppers. I love seeing our volunteers working together to provide a great experience for every shopper.”

In the Collector’s Corner session, there will be rare, first edition, signed volumes and local memorabilia.

“We encourage everyone to bring bags and boxes and wear comfortable shoes,” Morris said.

On Tuesday, all items will be half price and on Wednesdays all items will be 10 cents.

Furthermore, all proceeds will be used to support and sponsor literacy projects throughout Alachua County and the Alachua County Library District.

Items remaining after the book sale will be available Thursday (April 25) free of charge for local nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofits interested in coming to get the free items on April 25 must call 352-375-1676 to preregister and show proof of nonprofit status.

For more information, visit, folacld.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Annual book sale to again be held in Gainesville