SKANEATELES — Skaneateles Library’s popular summer book sale is back to its traditional single weekend this year on July 7-10 at the village hall at 26 Fennell St.
“Last year’s sale was spread out over two weekends to allow for COVID protocols,” said book sale leader Mary Giroux. “The sale is already a big endeavor, and the extra days were a lot to ask of our volunteers. We’re happy to be able to return to the traditional schedule.”
Each year’s inventory is completely new. Books left over after the sale are donated to other organizations, so the library starts fresh each year.
“We don’t store books from year to year,” Nickie Marquis, library director, said. “But we do hear that some readers buy books one year, donate them back to the sale, and then buy different books the following year. That’s good for the environment and good for the library.”
The annual book sale has been an important fundraiser for the library for more than 30 years and remains a significant source of financial support.
“Money raised at the book sale helps pay for things like programs, books for the collection and digital resources,” said Marquis. “These are things we improve and expand every year so we can respond to evolving community needs.”
The sale features more than 20,000 used books, including adult fiction, biography, history, science and other non-fiction, along with a wide variety of books for children and teens. DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks and puzzles will also be for sale.
Prices range from $1 to $5, with some items specially marked at different amounts. The bag sale will be held on Sunday, when shoppers pay just $5 for a library-supplied paper shopping bag and fill it with all the books and other merchandise the bag can hold.
Summer book sale hours are: Thursday, July 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, July 8 from 9 to 8 p.m., Saturday, July 9 from 9 to 6 p.m. and the bag sale is Sunday, July 10 from 11 to 2 p.m.
For more than two decades, the Skaneateles Library’s book sale has been a staple of summer in the village.
According to Marquis it is one of those events that has almost taken on a life of its own and often draws people from near and far.
“People will call the library and make sure we are doing it on the same dates,” Marquis said. “People will plan to come to Skaneateles that week or weekend and this is one of those things that they plan their visit around.”
Often times, book lovers are lined up Friday night, waiting for the doors to open and the sale to being.
Marquis said it is nice to see this kind of support.
With titles ranging from the classics to children’s books and everything in between, Marquis believes there is something for everyone.
“We have a little bit of everything,” Marquis said. “We have a lot of children’s books. Families really like that. It is a great way to get a lot of books for your kids. If you like a series and are looking for a title this is a great way to find that one book you might be looking for. We have the classics, art books, a little bit of everything.”
It is the commitment from its supporters that has helped to make the sale a successful and important event for the library providing funding that helps make ends meet.
For more information, visit skanlibrary.org or call the library at 315-685-5135.
