The Vancouver used book sale is back this month, and it promises to be the biggest one yet. Book lovers across the city can look forward to browsing thousands of titles at prices that are hard to beat. Whether you collect fiction, travel guides, or children’s books, this event has something for every reader.

Friends of the Vancouver Public Library is hosting the popular sale from Friday, Aug. 28 to Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the VPL’s main branch, located at 350 West Georgia St. Shoppers can head to the Alice McKay Room to discover the massive collection. In fact, prices for most titles start at just a toonie.

Inside the Alice McKay Room

This Vancouver used book sale features over 50,000 books spread across the room. Visitors will find tables stacked with fiction, travel guides, food and drink books, and children’s titles. Meanwhile, shoppers looking for something different can also browse CDs and DVDs, none of which cost more than $4.

Because this marks the largest used book sale in the community’s history, organizers expect big crowds. Therefore, early birds may have the best luck finding rare or popular titles. All sales are final, so shoppers should bring their own bags to carry their new finds home.

Andrea Larrabe of Friends of the VPL previously spoke about the tradition behind the event. “We have been having this sale for many years so far, and it has always been a great opportunity to find excellent books at convenient prices,” she told Daily Hive. Consequently, the sale has become a beloved tradition for many local readers.

How to Donate to the Sale

Community members can also contribute to the sale by donating their own books, CDs, and DVDs. Donations in good condition are accepted from Aug. 17 to 27, ahead of the main event. As a result, shoppers browsing the tables later in August will see a wide range of fresh titles.

Donations of any size can be dropped off at the VPL Central Library Loading Bay off Hamilton Street. This drop-off point is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, Friends of the VPL accepts smaller donations year-round, though only in quantities of up to four boxes at a time.

Supporting Friends of the VPL

Friends of the Vancouver Public Library is a community of volunteers, fundraisers, and advocates who support the library system. Besides organizing the annual sale, the group also runs book’mark, a store located inside the Central VPL Branch. Every purchase, therefore, helps fund special library projects throughout the city.

Proceeds from the sale go directly toward these community initiatives. For that reason, every book purchased at bargain prices also supports a larger cause. Readers looking for an affordable way to expand their shelves, while giving back to their community, won’t want to miss this event.