Come on back to the book sale

One of the most anticipated summer events is the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Normally every June, the 2020 pandemic caused the Friends to postpone this fundraiser for the first time in 30 years. 

This year it’s back Thursday-Sunday at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St. In preparation, the Friends will haul boxes full of treasures to the convention center and stock a sea of tables with items for all ages! 

Roughly 95% of the items available at the sale are from donations from the community, not discarded library materials. So, it’s because of you that the Friends can host a successful sale each year.

If you are a Friends member, enjoy a special preview sale just for you from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Or, join at the door Thursday evening for as low as $15 to get access to the sale before the general public.

The remaining days will be open to everyone. On Friday, hours are 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Saturday, shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday will be the final day of the sale with hours from 1 to 4 p.m. 

Children’s books are generally sold for $2 an inch. Please note, the children’s section is popular. So, the sooner you arrive, the better the selection.

Items such as regular hardcover and softcover books and audio/visual materials, such as DVDs and records, sell for between $1 and $2. 

Sunday, the final day, is known as the bag-o-books sale; $6 will get you a bag (provided by the Friends) which you may fill with whatever fits. 

Payment methods accepted include cash or checks, as well debit and credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diners Club.

Any books remaining after the sale will be donated to local organizations such as Global Samaritan. Then the Friends will prepare for their 2022 book sale. So are we able to donate books to the library again? We’re glad you asked that question. 

The Friends will accept donations starting July 8. Please drop off your donations to the Main Library, 202 Cedar St. Pull into the alley on the west side of the building and ring the doorbell next to the double doors.

Donations will be accepted Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. as well as Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon. Friends members will be on hand during these times to receive, sort and organize donated items.

We couldn’t be more appreciative of the Friends of the Library. Their hard work ensures a successful sale, the proceeds of which go directly to your library in support of our mission. Be a part of that success and attend the sale. 

To learn more about the Friends, visit abilenetx.gov/apl/Friends. You’ll find answers to your book sale questions at abilenetx.gov/apl/BookSale. 

We hope to see you there!