With over 16,000 books to choose from, the return of the annual Friends of the Turlock Public Library book sale is sure to cause excitement amongst the city’s bibliophiles.
The event has grown since it first began in the 1990s, going from a small sale of just 200 books to the largescale fundraiser that is has become today. In past years, the book sale has brought in thousands of dollars that help the library fund children’s programs, purchase new books and other materials, pay for periodical subscriptions and for furniture replacement.
This year, about 20 percent of proceeds will go toward funding for the soon-to-be new and expanded library.
In 2015, the Friends of the Turlock Public Library set their sights on relocating the library in Turlock or expanding on the current footprint. The current Turlock Library was built in 1968, for a population of 30,000. The city’s population has more than doubled since that time, now more than 72,000. The current library facility has no dedicated meeting rooms or space for library programming, such as children’s Story Times and informational presentations for consumers.
In October 2017, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors voted to initiate the Turlock Library Expansion Project and issued a request for proposals for design and planning services.
Over the course of three days, shoppers will be able to choose from a massive collection of books that includes genres like children’s, mystery, romance, fiction, self-help, travel, religion, health, cookbooks and more, all priced from 50 cents to a dollar.
“These books are mostly donated, and are in really great condition,” said Linda Davenport of FTPL. “They’re very affordable, and that’s what brings the crowds in.”
FTPL members will have early access to the books, but the first day the sale is open to the public is typically the most popular, said Davenport.
“We do have fairly large crowds,” she said. “People line up even before the book sale opens.”
The large crowds at the sale are a testament to the love the community still has for books, Davenport added.
“People still love holding books, and they still have that interest in books,” said Davenport. “At this sale, you’re finding books that you wouldn’t otherwise find. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt.”
The book sale will start with a members’ only night from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 25. Memberships, which are $10 for individuals and $20 for families, will be sold at the door. The book sale will open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 26 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 27. The book sale will be inside the First United Methodist Church at 1660 Arbor Way at the corner of Berkeley Avenue and E. Main Street.
Hardbound books are generally $1 and paperbacks will cost $.50. Children's books are priced at $.50 and $.25. Rare and book sets will vary in price.
