Semi-annual Library Friends fall book sale starts today

The fall book sale, organized by the Friends of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries, takes place today (Wednesday, Oct. 15) through Saturday, Oct. 18 in conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival.

The sale is open to the public and is held in 116 Memorial Library, 728 State St.

•  The Preview Sale ($5 entry) is Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5-9 p.m. The prices for the books are $5 for hard covers and $3 for paperbacks.
•  The Regular Sale (no entry fee) runs Thursday, Oct. 16, from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 17, from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The regular sale prices are $3 for hard covers and $1 for paperbacks.
•  A $3-a-Bag Sale (bring your own brown grocery bag) takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Between 1:05-2 p.m., the remaining books are free.

The semiannual event represents the largest used book sale in Wisconsin and includes more than 15,000 books covering almost any subject, including American studies, fiction, foreign languages, cooking, physical and biological sciences, computer science, government, political science, law, education, fine arts, self-help, reference, business, social sciences, religion, philosophy, women’s studies, and history. There are also maps, DVDs, CDs, videos, and many LPs for sale.

Nearly 60 volunteers coordinate the event, which draws students, faculty and visitors from around the Midwest. Books for the sale are donated primarily by UW–Madison faculty, staff, students and Madison-area residents.

The sales have raised an average of nearly $20,000. Money from the sales help fund an annual lecture series, special purchases for the library collections, and a visiting scholar support program.

“Given the current economic conditions, no bibliophile would want to miss these bargains,” says Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries board member Beth Kubly. “There’s a fascinating array of books that would meet any reader’s interests.”