Organizers prepare for annual library book sale

Book lovers now have an additional chance to score used paperbacks and hardbacks at extremely cheap prices at the Cape Girardeau Public Library's spring book sale Friday and Saturday.

All hardbacks cost a dollar, paperbacks cost 50 cents and videos, DVDs and books on tape cost $2.

This annual event has usually been held in the beginning of September, but the library has so many books in its possession that another sale was added.

Most of the books sold at the library's book sale were donated, but others are weeded out from the library's own collection.

"All during the year people bring in books, but part of the problem is we don't have storage for the books," said head librarian Betty Martin. "Last fall we had thousands of books. That's when the board decided to have two sales."

The book sale is a popular event for the library, Martin said, and usually raises around $3,000 for programs and services the library could not afford otherwise.

In past years the money has been spent to redecorate the reading room and purchase computers.

"Friday night is crazy," Martin said. Last year 50 to 75 people showed up at the library waiting for the sale to begin.

While the sale officially starts at 6 p.m. Friday, members of Friends of the Library can get a head start at 5 p.m. People wishing to become a member can join for a minimum of $15.

Books will be sorted by genre, which include a lot of mysteries this year, Martin said. Special edition books are also available for sale next to the library check-out desk. These include books that are signed editions or particularly old copies and the prices are based upon online research done by the staff.

Anything that is not sold this weekend will be available for sale at the second library book sale on Sept. 10 to 12.

"It's really kind of wonderful to see that people love books," Martin said of the sales' turnouts.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182