KNOXVILLE — The 2014 Annual Used Book Sale, organized by the Friends of the Knox County Public Library, starts Sunday, March 9, at the Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center in the Holiday Inn, World’s Fair Park. The sale, which is co-sponsored by the Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR-TV Channel 10, Comcast and Three Rivers Market, helps raise funds to support special library programs for children, teens and adults. More than 75,000 fiction and non-fiction books will be on sale to the public for $1 (for children) and $2 (adults). Affordable movies, magazines and music will also be offered, as well as a special selection of rare or collectible books. All proceeds benefit the Knox County Public Library.
Due to its popularity, the sale has expanded weekend hours. In 2013 the event brought in over 5,000 shoppers, many from outside the Knoxville region. The sale was a destination for families, collectors, charities, homeschoolers, and Girl Scouts! $47,000 was raised to support the Knox County Public Library System. This year, the sale will open to the public on Sunday, March 9, 1 to 6 p.m., and continue on Monday, Thursday and Friday, March 10, 13, and 14, from 11 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 16, 1 to 6 p.m. Throughout the sale, volunteers will be on hand to provide curbside assistance to those needing help with loading book purchases into their cars.
TEACHER APPRECIATION: Area educators, teachers and librarians with a valid school or organization ID are invited to attend a special Early Bird Bag Day Sale on Friday, March 14. Between 3 and 7 p.m., they can purchase bags of books for only $5 per bag. The public is invited to take advantage of the $5-per-bag discount on Bag Sale Weekend, Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16.
MEMBER PERKS: Prior to the start of this year’s sale, a special Preview Day will be held for members of Friends of the Knox County Public Library on Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Applications for membership will be available at the door ($10 for students/seniors, $15 for individuals, and $25 for families).
For the Used Book Sale schedule, parking information, and a promotional poster for download, visit knoxfriends.org, or call the Friends office at 865-215-8775.
Friends of the Knox County Public Library has supported the Knox County Public Library system and its patrons for more than 40 years with financial support for children, teen and adult programs, events and materials, and professional development opportunities for staff. In addition to the annual used book sale, the organization’s volunteers run the Friends @ Rothrock Used Book Shop located in the Lawson McGhee Library downtown. The store is open daily and offers a selection of gently used books at substantially reduced prices.
