Book lovers in the Ozarks anxiously await the Friends of the Library book sales each spring and fall. And they won’t have to wait too much longer for the next one. It starts a week from tomorrow in Springfield.
The sale has moved this time to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex since its former location, Remington’s, closed as an event center. Springfield-Greene County Library District spokesperson Kathleen O’Dell said that means there will be more items for sale.
"We have now five of trailer loads of books and CDs and DVDs. There will also be a lot more room to move between tables," she said.
Some unusual items for sale next week: vinyl records (both 45s and LPs), a large collection of Chilton’s auto repair manuals, several high end art books and a number of books on Egypt.
O’Dell said these sales are extremely important in allowing the library branches to offer programs to the community.
"The Friends give back to the library thousands of dollars every year through grants, which we use to have author events, free concerts, children's programming," she said.
And, according to O'Dell, money goes toward capital improvements projects. Friends of the Library pledged $500,000 to the Brentwood Branch renovations.
The sale starts Tuesday April 26 with a Friends Night Preview Sale from 5 to 8 pm. FOL memberships will be available at the door for $5. The sale continues Wednesday through Friday (4/27-29) 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday April 30 (half price day) 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday May 1 ($1 and $5 bag day) from 1 to 5 pm.
Parking is free, and those who attend should enter through Gate 4.
Find out more at thelibrary.org
