Book lovers have cause to celebrate as the Friends of the Turlock Public Library gear up for their annual book sale.

The Friends of the Turlock Public Library have gathered more than 10,000 books for their annual sale, which runs Jan. 24 to Jan. 26. The group sells hardbound books for $1 and most paperbacks for 50 cents, all of which raises much needed funds for the library’s operating budget.

“These types of fundraisers are very important for us,” said Charles Teval, the branch operations manager for Stanislaus County’s library system. "Since the economy declined they have become more essential to even the basic services. It would be hard to survive without them.”

The book sale opens with a members only night from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the First United Methodist Church at 1660 Arbor Way. Memberships at $10 for individuals and $20 for families will be sold at the door Thursday. The book sale continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 25 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26. Admission is free on Jan. 25 and 26.

In addition to the hardbacks and paperbacks, the group will have children’s books, books-on-tape, CDs, and book sets.

All the proceeds from the sale are donated to the Turlock Library and are used to fund children’s programs, acquire new books, periodicals and furniture and other projects and programs not covered by the county budget.

Turlock resident Mary Jo Sai considers herself an enthusiastic library supporter, which is why she routinely donates books for the annual fundraiser.

“I remember walking to the library every Saturday with my friends and getting our books,” Sai recalled. “It was always something I enjoyed and still do.”

Sai will be perusing the stacks of mystery novels at the sale, while her husband positions himself at the table with the history collections. Whatever books they select, Sai said they’ll likely find their way back to the donation bin once they’ve been read.

“I usually donate them back because it’s a worthy cause that we need to support,” Sai said. “We need to keep our libraries open.”

The Stanislaus County Library system has seen its budget shrink drastically over the last few years as the recession took hold. Last year Stanislaus County voters approved an extension of a 1/8-cent sales tax dedicated to funding the library’s 13 branches. The tax funds about 84 percent of the library’s budget.