Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale is Sept. 16-20!
August 13, 2020 — Books and movies have been our refuge this year. Going into fall and winter, we’re going to need more: Cookbooks for new dinner ideas. Travel books to inspire summer getaways. Gifts for the holidays. Books for virtual classrooms at home. Movies just for fun.
The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale provides the answer with bargain-priced books, DVDs, CDS, vinyl records, games and puzzles for the whole family on Sept. 16-20 at the E*Plex on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave.
The Friends Night Preview Sale is 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. Friends members admitted free, or pay $5 at the door and join the Friends that night.
Regular sale hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 16-18; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Half-Price Day; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Bag Day. Everything you can jam into a sack is only $1, or $5 per bag from Better Books.
Adult, young adult and children’s books and most audiovisuals are $1 or less. Better books are $2 and up. Parking is free, and Friends accept cash or checks only. An ATM is on site.
The Friends are taking health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so shoppers of all ages can feel safe during the sale. Face masks will be required in observance of Springfield’s mask ordinance; we’ll practice social distancing, provide hand sanitizer and wipe down surfaces. Shoppers are asked to bring their own bags during the regular sale dates (not Bag Day).
Every sale brings new and unusual items. In addition to the thousands of titles in all genres from religion to sci-fi, there is a special section of Great Courses; and unusually large selections of sheet music for a variety of instruments priced at $2; large-print books including popular authors; multi-volume books in slipcases published by the Folio Society; books about Egypt and Ancient Civilizations; and 50-cent puzzles and games – for home learning or family night.
The Friends also created a new category in Better Books called Black History and Culture, which includes titles by Black authors.
One unusual item is the "World's Heavy Weight Championship Official Souvenir" from the Gene Tunney vs. Jack Dempsey fight held September 22, 1927. (This item can be found in Collectible Fragile.)
Proceeds from the fall and spring Friends Book Sales benefit the Springfield-Greene County Library District. For details, call 417-872-8699.