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Community Corner

Bustling for Books: Edmonds Library's 31st Annual Sale Is Saturday

The sale will have bargains galore. The real deal starts after 2:30 p.m., but a long line is expected early as well.

While a sizable amount of money is raised through the the 's ongoing book sale, this weekend's brings in a large amount of funds as well. The popular sale is in its 31st year, and you can expect lines out the door.

In fact, it is so well known that the Friends of the Edmonds Library, which organizes the sale, almost doesn't have to advertise it anymore.

The sale is held in the gym, and volunteers help bring in the thousands of donated titles, arrange them on card tables, and help work shifts selling the merchandise. A member’s only sale is today from 4-6 p.m., but those who aren't members can sign up on the spot and get right to shopping. The public sale is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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“Right now libraries are having a tough time because funding is getting cut,” said Kathy Dahlstrom, president of the Friends of the Edmonds Library. “If we didn’t give them the extra things, they couldn’t afford to replace them. We like to give them things they would like to have to make it a better place for you and me and the rest of the community.”

On Saturday, most items sell for $1 or less. Talking books, DVDs and art books are priced a little higher. For real bargain hunters, after a brief closure at 2:30 p.m., the doors reopen with items priced at $2 a bag.

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The sale includes tables of books focusing on the Pacific Northwest, home arts, travel, art and music, science fiction, classics, religion, science, history, biography and romance, as well as a large selection of mysteries and other fiction.

This weekend's sale isn't the only time you can buy used books at the library.

Just inside the entrance, rack bulges with fiction, a few mysteries, nonfiction titles and some reference guides.

The Friends of the Edmonds Library maintains the library's book sales as welll. Proceeds are used to buy needed items at the library needs and to fund scholarships in library sciences at the University of Washington.

“We exist to support the library,” said Dahlstrom. “We just bought new chairs for the library so now people don’t have to worry about anything falling apart when they go to sit down. We also have purchased furniture for the children’s section in the past.”

At the sales rack this week, several patrons who couldn't wait for this weekend's sale checked out the titles. “Oh yes, I know about the book sale,” said Jane, who asked that her last name not be used. “I’ve been going for several years, and always come away with a huge bag of stuff. The prices can’t be beat.”

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