Wisconsin’s largest used book sale returns Oct. 18-21

The semiannual Friends of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Library book sale, which draws visitors from around the Midwest, is slated to return to Memorial Library Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 18-21.

A preview sale ($5 admission) will be held 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, while the regular sale, open to the public at no charge, will run 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 20. From 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, patrons can bring a bag and fill it for $2. All sales are held in 116 Memorial Library, 728 State St.

The sale, billed as the largest single used book sale in Wisconsin, offers more than 15,000 books and benefits the Friends. The fall sale is held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival, for which the Friends are also a sponsor.

Most materials are donated primarily by UW–Madison faculty, staff, students and area residents. Proceeds from the sale help support an annual lecture series, special purchases for library collections and various publications, as well as grants-in-aid for scholars who visit the campus libraries from around the world to pursue humanities-related research.

Tax deductible book, CD and LP record donations are accepted at any “Open Return” book drop at campus libraries or at the Lake Street dock of Memorial Library from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays. Items will be added to campus library collections or sold through the Friends book sale to benefit the libraries.

To arrange for a book pickup or for more information, contact the Friends at friends@library.wisc.edu or call (608) 265-2505.