Quantity and quality highlight the annual Friends of the Guelph Public Library annual book sale that goes this weekend.
The 11th annual event happens Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the same location as last year, 69 Huron St. in The Ward neighbourhood.
An estimated 85,000 books were donated by the public this year since August, with 65,000 of them on the floor at the giant industrial warehouse that has been home to the sale the past two years, courtesy of the Woods family, who own the property.
“It has gotten progressively bigger,” said Sandi Wilkes, one of the 300 volunteers who help pull the event off.
At the first sale 11 years ago the event raised $8,000. Last year it raised $110,000. The record was two years ago, when $120,000 was raised.
Over the course of the 11 years the event has raised $500,000, most of which is dedicated towards a new main library, whenever that gets built.
“It will be interesting to see how much we raise this year,” Wilkes said.
Last year saw 8,000 people come through the doors, said fellow organizer and volunteer Carole Stewart.
The event is free to enter, although there is a special early bird entry on Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. where buyers can pay $10 to be first inside.
“The dealers come in at that time, but I’m surprised by the numbers of public who are more than willing to pay the $10 to get first crack at the books,” Wilkes said.
“We get a lot of dealers from around Ontario and the northern United States,” said Stewart.
“It’s the largest used books sale that we’re aware of,” Wilkes said.
“It’s apparently the best organized and the quality of books is the highest you will find at most places,” Stewart said.
Regular hours of the sale are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
There is plenty of off-street parking near the location, but a word of caution, the event is cash only.
And once again, children accompanied by an adult receive a free children’s book.
More details can be found at here.
