The Great American Book Sale Returns to Erie

Friends of the Erie County Library

The Friends of the Erie County Library are hosting their 47th annual Great American Book Sale at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Arena in June. Proceeds from the sale go directly towards funding adult and children's programming at the library.

BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUN. 15

The Friends of the Erie County Library are writing a new chapter with the return of The Great American Book Sale at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center. With a collection of over 75,000 gently used books alongside a selection of audiobooks, music, DVDs, and puzzles, this event serves as one of the Friends' most significant fundraising events, with all proceeds going back to the library.

"Our goal as the Friends is to raise the funds that allow the library to succeed as a community center," explained Benjamin "Henry" Barbour, Board President of the Friends of the Erie County Library. "We think the library should be a place where there is lifelong learning, access to services, community involvement, and civic engagement. The Friends pay for both the adult and children's programming. I think the library should be a place for families, and we are really the main source of funding for these programs."

This year marks the 47th year for the Great American Book Sale. Beginning in 1978, the event was first held from a tent in the parking lot of the Perry Square Library, moving to locations around the city, including West Erie Plaza, Villa Maria Academy, and McDowell Intermediate School. "We have a great history. And you know, a tent cannot fit 75,000 books, but that is how far we have come."

Barbour detailed the preparation for the event to ensure there is something for everyone, including the upcoming book drive two days before the sale opens on June 15. "All our books come from our book drives, so we try to respond to the needs and desires of the public. We recently had a mini book drive that turned out to be quite popular, so we are bringing that back because we have a lot of people in the community who want to donate books. I think our volunteers and staff really want to ensure that the public has access to the books they want."

Children's books are priced at $1 for hardcover and $0.50 for paperbacks, with Barbour estimating a very large selection of several thousand books. "Children's books are among the most popular genres that are increasingly our best sellers. There's a wonderful serendipity and thrill of going to a book sale with physical media. There's a magic in discovering something new, coming across an old paperback that you might not have ever realized even existed that speaks to you. Everyone has had the feeling of coming upon a wonderful book that is the right book at the right time. "

For all other books, pricing will be $2 for hardcover and $1 for regular paperbacks. "With the space and the number of books, we can afford to have all kinds of different genres, including our collector's corner for older, antiquarian books. It's material that might please someone who is looking for something a little more obscure that might be worth a little more. The prices really can't be beat, and that is something the whole community can respond to and support."

Barbour reflected on his shared message with the community: "The library has such a powerful impact as a lifeline for the community with summer reading programs, literacy initiatives, technological resources, genealogical databases, and access to a wide array of media and information that people can research. From toddlers to seniors, it enriches our lives and community. It's essential for people in the community to realize that donations help fund one of the most important elements of any community for education and civic involvement. This is a wonderful and extremely fun way to support our library."

Sunday, June 15 through Thursday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. // Flo Fabrizio Ice Center, 527 W. 38th St. // For more info: erielibraryfriends.org