If you’re tired of the heat and ready to curl up with a blanket, hot cocoa and a good book, good news – one of the biggest book sales in Springfield is just around the corner. The Friends of the Library Book Sale runs from Oct. 17-21 at the E*Plex on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for one of the best deals for getting your used books at affordable prices.

What you’ll find

There are hundreds of books here, sorted into categories, for every age and interest group. The books for children, young adults, games and other media are priced at $1 or less. Books classified as “Better Books,” which are newer books that are in better condition, are priced at $2 and up.

If you want to get the first pick of the books, you can always attend the presale on Oct. 16 from 5-8 p.m. According to the book sale press release, “Friends members are admitted free to this sneak peek event; others can pay $5 at the door and can convert it to a Friends membership that night.”

Molly Pointon, a student at OTC, has consistently attended this sale ever since she moved to Springfield several years ago.

When asked why she attends the book sale every year, Pointon said, “What I like best is finding works by some of my favorites, like Mao Tse Tung, by complete surprise. It helps that all of the books are so affordable.”

Pointon went on to explain why she prefers to buy used books.

“Some [books] are out of print, or might contain lost or forgotten information. I also like to reuse, reduce and recycle – I feel like buying these books secondhand is much better for the environment. I also think that I buy books at the sale that I never would have found or thought to buy anywhere else,” said Pointon.

Affordable and unique

There is a draw, for Pointon and other people who love buying books used, to both the unique experience of sorting through all of the strange and wonderful texts found at used book sales, as well as to the low price tags.

The regular prices on the books here are great, but the bargains on the last days of the sale are when it really gets good. Saturday, Oct. 20 is Half-Price Day and Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. is Bag Day. On this final day of the sale, customers can pay $1 for a bag full of books, or $5 if you’d like to fill your bag with “Better Books.”

The book sale also has many rare and limited edition books. This year is the first year they will be conducting a silent auction for some of their collectible books.

Support your local library system

All proceeds from the Friends of the Library Book Sales go to the various events that the Springfield-Greene County Library District sponsors, which they list in their press release as: “concerts, author events, exhibits, children’s Summer Reading Program performers and numerous capital projects through the year.”

The library sponsors many community building projects. Showing up to their book sale and walking away with a few new reads is a great way to add to your personal collection and support our local library system.

Article by Lauren J. Barclay.