Since candy stores are no longer prevalent, the phrase “like a kid in a candy store” can pretty much be archived. I have an idea for a resurrection. How about: “like a book-lover at the annual Friends of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Book Sale”? I know it’s wordy, but I swear it’s going to catch on.

There’s simply no other way to describe the packed car lots lining Ag Hall at 17th and Topeka Blvd. Or the fervor of the hordes of people picking through over 100,000 books. Or the sort of determination needed to withstand the lines. Nevermind the lines.

There are CDs, movies, records, magazines and books, and books, and then books. Mystery and poetry and fiction and non-fiction and cookbooks and children’s books and history and really everything you can think of – and cheap.

The sale is open to the public on Sat. Sept 18 from 9am to 5pm and Sun. Sept 19 from 1-5pm, but you might consider getting a jump on the masses and buying a library membership to attend the members only night on Friday Sept 17 from 6-9pm. In addition to having a more leisurely browse through the volumes, your Friends membership saves you 10% at the Chandler booktique at TSCPL until the end of the year.

[ seveneightfive September 1 - October 15 | Melissa Sewell | image provided by Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library ]

more info:

Friends of the Library individual memberships are $15 / $25 family
Admission is free and open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

This sale offers more than 100,000 used books, records, CDs, DVDs and VHSs and magazines. Large quantities of children’s books and paperback fiction will also be available.

Funds from the Friends of the Library Book Sale and the online bookstore are used to support the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

For information about the Friends of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, call Mary at 785-580-4445.