Christine Peterson, president of the Friends of the Richard Byrd Library, displays crates with some of the more than 10,000 book donations the library has received this year for its annual holiday sale. Photo Contributed
Booklovers, bargain hunters and holiday shoppers will find the perfect gift for everyone on their holiday list at the annual Richard Byrd Library holiday book sale beginning Thursday, Nov. 29.
The Richard Byrd Library Book Sale
Where: The Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce Street, Springfield.
When:
Thursday Nov. 29 from 3-9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon to 3 p.m. (Bag Sale)
With more than 10,000 books to sell, and more coming in, the sale is one of the largest used book sales in the area.
“Our children’s books are overflowing,” said Christine Peterson, president of the Friends of Richard Byrd Library, the non-profit fundraising arm of the library. “We have everything from board books for toddlers to the Hunger Games Trilogy and everything in between. Prices start at twenty-five cents so this is the perfect place to shop if you are a parent, grandparent or teacher.”
“We received an amazing variety of donated books last year, and many are almost new, so they make great stocking stuffers and gifts,” she said.
Peterson said the book selection includes every conceivable genre—from history, art and foreign language to medical science and science fiction—including rare, vintage and autographed books.
For adults, this year’s sale includes a special-collection donation from an Auschwitz survivor, which adds to the sale’s military history offerings of 500-plus books. Peterson said craft books, art and photography books and cook books are always bestsellers.
“And we have more fiction than you can imagine. Most fiction and nonfiction is from $1 to 3. Wrapped all together—lots of selection, great prices, excellent quality and all for a good cause—your library,” Peterson said.
“This sale is a real community effort,” Peterson said. “We have the Lee High School Wrestling team and tennis team helping us set up. The Key Club at Lake Braddock High school is also pitching in. Plus all our wonderful friends [are] adult volunteers. We may also have a local artist doing some work on our children's room,” Peterson said.
The money will help fund a variety of programs offered by the library, including an expansion of the children’s programs, more teen activities and author events.
The Richard Byrd Library, named after the famous explorer, was completely renovated and rebuilt in 2010. The new building features an accurate replica of the airplane flown by Admiral Byrd during his exploration of Antarctica and his flight over the South Pole.