On Thursday, September 19, at 3 p.m., the doors will open on the Friends of the Library’s Fall Used Book Sale at Central United Methodist Church, 201 E. Third Street. The opening day is for members only, but everyone can become a member at the door. It’s the best club in town, but I might be a little biased. The sale continues on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find all the information about the sale on the Friends website.
You may already know about the great bargains on books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. With thousands and thousands of items available, you can fill up your bookshelves for only $2 or less per item. A bargain is a bargain, but a full bookshelf is downright dreamy.
What you might not realize about the Friends Used Book Sale is that the proceeds go to the Library itself for programs and services not covered by the county budget. The Friends provide over $50,000 to Library programs like Santa visits at Christmas or for music and storytelling programs throughout the summer. They support the Library’s Explorer Pass program, making it possible for cardholders to “check out” admission to Knoxville’s historic homes and other cultural attractions. For every $2 book or DVD purchased at the Friends Used Book Sale, we are better able to restore vintage film for the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound or bring in a speaker for an illuminating program like Stephen Alvarez, the National Geographic photographer who started the Ancient Art Archive.
In fact, the Friends are underwriting the upcoming visit from New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka, who will be at the East Tennessee History Center on Thursday, September 26, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. His memoir in graphic novel form, Hey Kiddo! is a National Book Award finalist. The chance to see an author/illustrator in person can have a huge impact on a child’s life.
And to cap it off, what is better than filling up a bookshelf for a nominal cost and supporting the great work of the library? Recycling! The other great thing about the Friends Used Book Sale is the important service it plays in recycling books and other items. Community members donate many of the books in the sale. Imagine all those books going into a landfill. That’s not a pretty sight.
So do yourself and the community a favor and get thee to the Friends of the Library’s Fall Used Book Sale this weekend.
Mary Pom Claiborne is assistant director for marketing, communications and development for Knox County Public Library
