Friends book sale to be held Sept. 29-Oct. 2

The fall book sale, organized by the Friends of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries, takes place Wednesday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Oct. 2, 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, Sept. 29, 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-Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The regular sale prices are $3 for hard covers and $1 for paperbacks on Thursday and $1.50 and 50 cents respectively on Friday. 
• A $3-a-bag sale is Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring a grocery-sized bag to fill or buy a bag for $1. Between 1:05-2 p.m., the remaining books are free.

The semiannual sale is the largest ongoing 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, many LPs and some 78s for sale. Of special interest in this sale are science fiction, American industrial and economic history, cookbooks, music, medieval art, and children’s literature studies.

Nearly 60 volunteers assist with 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 book sales generate an average of nearly $20,000. The sales help fund grants to campus libraries for purchases or other special resource needs, and a visiting scholar support program, and Friends events and lectures that are open to the public.