Book Sales
The Friends of the Library book sale is open to the public every Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 p.m. On First Fridays, the store extends its hours from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. The book sale is located in the FOL Building at 327 S. Michigan St.
The Friends of the St. Joseph County Public Library, a nonprofit membership organization, engages in advocacy and philanthropy to support the mission and vision of the St. Joseph County Public Library. To become a member, click here.
Donation Guidelines
Donate your used books, CDs, and DVDs to the Friends of the Library book store on Fridays during the book sale. You may also drop off donations to any SJCPL library branch during normal business hours. (Please note Main Library is currently closed and will reopen Fall 2021.
Donated books should be in good condition and recent. We do not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines older than two years old.
When you donate a book, remember that donated books do not necessarily enter the sale. Our Friends of the Library team has to consider the cost of materials and labor when adding books into the collection, and many donations are too damaged or dated to be sold. Nothing lasts forever, including books, and many donated books will be recycled.
Other places you can donate to include schools, teachers, hospitals, thrift stores, used bookshops, shelters, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, literacy programs, after school programs, daycares, and armed forces charities. Wherever you donate, be sure to ask first, and please do not leave donations if you are told they cannot be accepted.
What else can you do with books you want to donate? Add them to a Little Free Library, or set up book swaps in your community. You may also use books for crafts including sculptures, collages, or origami!
Libraries are so much more than books. The best way to support your local library is to use it, and to donate when you can!
Book Sale Prices
(unless otherwise marked)
| Adult Nonfiction Books | $1.00 |
| All Fiction Books | $0.50 |
| Paperbacks (Mass Market, All ages) | $0.25 |
| Children's Books | Priced as marked |
| Magazines | $0.25 |
| Audio Books | $1.50 |
| | |
| Music CD's | $0.50 |
| DVD's | $2.00 and up |
| Toys | Priced as marked |
| Purple X items | Free |
| Special Titles | Priced as marked |
| Paper Rolls | $2.00 |
