The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries’ biannual book sale is back with 50,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other items stocked at May Memorial Library in Burlington. 

The sale runs Sept. 12-20. Members of the organization can start shopping a day early on Sept. 11. 

The nonprofit hosts the yearly sale in the fall and spring. Around 95% of all proceeds go back to Alamance County’s four public libraries, according to Hal Vincent, president of Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries.

“The goal then is to raise money that more directly helps with community betterment, tackling such issues as childhood literacy, and honestly a vibrant collection of books and resources for the county residents of all ages to be able to have a robust and rich amount of resources as opposed to a small, tiny amount of resources,” Vincent said. 

Each year the sale is different. A completely new collection of items is available, meaning shoppers won’t find the same book twice. 

Annually, the two sales generate more than $50,000 in revenue, Vincent said. To keep the collection fresh for the next sale, unsold items are sold to other organizations or companies, or donated. 

The organization collects donations throughout the year at donation drives and participating library locations. Vincent, who is also an Elon University professor, said the organization occasionally assists with picking up and collecting large donations. 

“We like to say that there's always a find,” Vincent said. “It's not the same books that didn't sell once or twice or three times, and it keeps getting worse and worse. We get the same quality that you found last time. You're going to find it again because there, it's a whole new round of donations that we received.”

This year marks the 41st year of the sale. The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries hosted its first book sale in 1985. 

Vincent said the sale not only allows customers to learn more through new books, but also supports the entire community. 

“Every dollar you spend might really not just be changing a person's life, but might really be changing our entire county as we learn and know more,” Vincent said. 

Members of The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries can start shopping the sale, Friday, Sept. 11 from noon to 6 p.m. The sale is open to the public starting Sept. 12 in the basement of May Memorial Library at 342 S Spring St, Burlington, NC, 27215. Shoppers should use the Davis Street entrance. The sale accepts cash and check only. 

When to go:

Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Monday, Sept. 14 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Thursday, Sept. 17 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Friday, Sept. 18 | 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Saturday, Sept. 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.