The Book Sale is Back

Written by Chris Brown, Head of Marketing and Community Engagement

Book Sale supports buying materials, running programs

Set a reminder for Thursday and then set your alarm for Friday.

It’s Book Sale day. Day one to be specific.

Yes, the traditional fall Friends of the Medicine Hat Public Library Society Book Sale is back on Nov. 17-18. It’s been known to attract a long lineup well before the library doors open at 10 a.m.

"The Friends of the Library book sale is an important event for the library and the community,” says chief librarian Ken Feser. “It provides extra revenue for the library and provides a new home for our old books that have been removed from our collection. It is also much loved and anticipated by the community. Book sale days are among our busiest days of the year."

The Friends of the Library says the money raised from the book sales are used by the Library to purchase materials or to run programs. There are usually two book sales each year – one also takes place in the spring – and between them typically raise between $5,000 and $7,000 for the library.

“Beyond raising funds for our public library, the book sale makes reading accessible to all,” Lisa Galecki, a member of the Friends of the Medicine Hat Public Library Society, told the Medicine Hat News. “Books and stories take people to new worlds – they entertain and enrich. In past years, readers have been able to find up to five books for a dollar. We have books for kids of all ages, easy readers, teens and young adults, and fiction and non-fiction books. There’s something for everyone, and we always have rare and unexpected treasures.”

There will be thousands of gently-used books available as well as DVDs and CDs.

The sale is a great opportunity to stock up on all the reading, watching and listening materials you need for the next few months.

“It’s also a perfect opportunity to sign up for a library card if you don’t yet have one. Cards are free for city residents thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses,” added Galecki.

The sale takes place on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Honor Currie Room and the Legion Room downstairs at the library.

Redcliff Public Library is holding its own book sale on the same dates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As one commenter on our Facebook page said, “2 used book sales! This must be a dream.”

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