Library book sales are valuable opportunities for libraries to raise a little extra money. But they’re also good news for avid book lovers. Not only can you support your local library by spending a little money at one of their book sales, you can also get used books at great prices.

I am a long-time fan of book sales. I once bought 47 books on vacation once, when the local library sold grocery bags for a dollar apiece, and had an entire room devoted to books that you could fill your bag with. You’d be amazed how many books can fit into a plastic grocery bag.

You may not be so lucky as that…but even so, chances are good that you’ll end up with an excellent bargain. For example, another book sale I visited was a bit more stingy; they charged an entire dollar for hardcover books (paperbacks were three for a dollar). But I managed to walk away with a Mercedes Lackey book that had never even been read, for a dollar. It’s hard to beat something like that.

Library sales have one other important function, as well. When they’re yearly or bi-yearly events, it gives the library staff a chance to become familiar with their regular visitors, and vice versa. I once visited a small-town library sale where the library had actually rented a second building for the sale, and an entire section was devoted to free refreshments. People were browsing the books, sipping coffee and juice, and actually standing around talking; how often do you see something like that these days?

Books bring people together. And book sales provide both great value and a great chance to hang out with people you’ve never met before. So what are you waiting for? Support your local library; visit a book sale today!

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