By Bill Blankenship
THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
There are two good economic reasons for attending the 37th annual Friends of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Book Sale this weekend in the Kansas Expocentre's Agriculture Hall.
First, with the price of gasoline, groceries and just about everything else draining family budgets, the bargain prices on the more than 100,000 donated books, videos, CDs, magazines, records, cassettes, art prints, board games, sheet Af Replica Shoes music and other items on sale will stretch one's entertainment dollars.
Second, you just might find enough books to read, videos to watch or music to hear to keep your mind off of just how badly your nest egg is getting scrambled on Wall Street.
You might stock up on enough stuff to keep you occupied until the economy revives -- or at least through a harsh winter.
replica Armani sun-glasses Replica HandbagsOn Thursday, volunteers were in Agriculture Hall readying merchandise for the sale, which begins tonight and continues through Sunday afternoon.
"We've been here all morning -- about 80 volunteers -- unpacking about 2,000 boxes," said Gaylord Ukena, the longtime organizer of the sale and a Friends board member.
Preparation for the book sale by inspecting and sorting donations is a year-round effort.
"We'll take next Tuesday off, then we'll start again," Ukena said. "We have to keep up with the donations because they keep flooding in. It's amazing."
Asked about the inventory for this year's sale, Ukena replied: "Lots of children's books, lots of cookbooks, hardback fiction, paperback fiction, humor, somewhat rare books, collectibles. We have some art prints, DVDs, video tapes, LPs."
"We have a lot of nice art books, and we're beginning to get a lot of what we used to call coffee-table books, some nice ones, back there in the 'Medium Rare Room,' with the collectible books," he added.
While the book sale is a fundraiser for the Friends, which in turn Replica Blancpain Watch financially supports library programs, services and events, Ukena said, "There's more to it than just raising money."
Louis Vuitton Replica Handbags"That's important, but somebody has referred to it as the biggest recycling situation in town because you bring books in and somebody else takes them out," Ukena said. "What you're finished with, somebody else is glad to get."
The book sale has become a popular event.
"There are people who come quite a distance every year, and they will start lining up soon after noon," said Ukena, who said by the time doors open at 6 p.m. today, the line will stretch around the building.
Opening night of the sale, which is from 6 to 9 p.m., is a members-only event.
"If you don't have a current Friends membership, you can get that at the door, inexpensively," Ukena said.
A one-year membership is $15 for individuals or $25 for families.
Admission is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at no cost.
The Friends also operate the Chandler Booktique in the library, 1515 S.W. 10th, where book-buyers can Oris Replica find year-round bargains.
Items donated to the Friends are split between the annual book sale and the Booktique, which is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Bill Blankenship can be reached
at (785) 295-1284
or .