Hayley Gibson
Reporter
Book lovers of every genre can head to the Waco-McLennan Country Library’s 50th anniversary book sale this weekend as thousands of books, CDs and DVDs will be sold to raise money for the library’s programs.
The book sale began Thursday at the Extraco Events Center and will continue through Sunday with most books priced at $1.50 each.
The annual book sale is organized by Waco Friends of the Libraries, a non profit organization that raises money for the libraries to put on educational programs through events such as the book sale.
“This money funds things like our children’s programs, summer reading programs, educational programs and the rest of the money goes to supplement our final budget,” Volunteer Coordinator Kim Salome Klimt said.
Last year, the book sale raised around $35,000 specifically to purchase new books for the libraries.
Klimt expects attendance to reach 6,000 people over the four-day book sale.
Baylor’s First Lady Alice Starr has also been involved in the fundraising process for the Waco libraries.
As the honorary chair of the book sale, Starr hosted the Golden Book Circle Honorary Reception for donors to Friends of the Library.
The books for the sale have been collected with help from the community, from Wacoans and bookstores donating used and new books. HEB book drives have also made this book sale possible.
Those looking for a deal will be excited to hear that the popular Midnight Madness day will return. On Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., all shoppers will be able to purchase as many books as they can fit into one bag for only $10. The deal will get even better from 7 to 9 p.m.., when shoppers can take as many bags and books as they want for only $10.
Henry Wright, president of Friends of the Library, said that this is one of the largest book sales in Texas.
“You forget how many people are excited about books until the sale,” Wright said, “I think it will be a tremendous success.”
Wright said this weekend’s book sale is the primary fundraiser for the Waco-McClennan libraries during the year with the exception of the summer reading book sale, which is a much smaller book sale put on by West Waco Library each summer to promote classic summer reading.
The sale will take place Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., which is No Sales Tax Day. Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and teachers will save 20 percent with their ID from 2 to 6p.m. There will also be puppet shows for kids at 11 a.m.., 1 p.m.. and 3 p.m.. Sunday will be from noon to 6p.m.
