BOOKS

Erie's Great American Book Sale returns June 11-16 at Flo Fabrizio Ice Center

The sale will offer an estimated 75,000 books in multiple categories. Revenue generated will support and assist the Erie County Public Library system.

A.J. Rao
Erie Times-News

Get ready, book lovers. The Great American Book Sale is right around the corner.

The weeklong event, which has been organized for more than four decades by the Friends of the Erie County Public Library, will take place June 11-16 at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center, 527 W. 38th St.

Nearly 80,000 books in multiple categories will be available, according to the Friends.

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Bob Gallivan, a longtime member of the Friends, said visitors will be delighted by this year's collection.

"We know what the public likes and we got a lot of what they really like," said Gallivan, referencing the roughly 20 different categories of books available, from recent fiction and biographies to history and children's books."By the time 5 to 10 minutes is over, (people) are usually smiling and grabbing books and having their arms bulging with wonderful treasures," he said.

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What to expect

The sale will offer an estimated 75,000 books in multiple categories including fiction, mystery, romance, children’s, teen, science fiction, nonfiction, biography, history, science, fine arts, cooking, home and garden, craft, travel, large print, religion and reference, according to the Friends.

Hardcover and paperback books will be available.

The Collector’s Corner features vintage and rare books that are individually priced. Selections include nonfiction, fiction for adults and fiction for children. This special area will be open Sunday through noon Thursday, according to the Friends.

Shoppers including Michael McIntyre, center, browse used books during the Great American Book Sale, inside the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center in July 2022. The Friends of the Erie County Public Library host the six-day sale with proceeds supporting library programs throughout the year.

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Gallivan said prices will be similar to last year — that is, slightly higher than in previous years — largely due to inflation.

Wednesday and Thursday will continue to offer all materials, excluding those in the Collector's Corner, at half price. On Friday, visitors will be able to purchase a bag or box of books at an even lower price.

Proceeds will support and assist the Erie County Public Library system in putting on programs and events, training staff and for other purposes.

Gallivan said the ice center will have extra tables set up to allow for easy browsing.

Before 2020, the Great American Book Sale had been held for a few years at McDowell Intermediate High School in Millcreek Township. Due to construction at the school, the Friends had to choose a new location for their sale.

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Gallivan said he believes the sale will remain at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center "for the foreseeable future."

Gallivan acknowledged the sponsors for this year's sale including Erie Insurance, Erie Community Foundation and Erie County Community College.

Valuable books available online

The Friends are selling their more valuable book donations that are typically found in the Collector's Corner on abebooks.com, an online marketplace for high-end or rare items.

The Friends' items on abebooks.com are listed under Bayfront Bookshelf, the name of their bookstore in the lobby of Blasco Library.

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Where to donate books?

Gallivan said books can be donated to the sale late Saturday morning at the ice center.

For information, visit the Friends of the Erie County Public Library Facebook page at facebook.com/EriePAFriendsOftheLibrary.

Great American Book Sale dates and times

When: Sunday-Thursday, June 11-15, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, June 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Flo Fabrizio Ice Center, 527 W. 38th St. in Erie

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.