"I defy anybody to come to our sale and not come out with a book," said Pat Casper, chair of the Friends of the Elizabethtown Public Library's fall book sale. "We really have something for everyone."

The book sale will kick off with a preview event on Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 2 to 7 p.m. "There is a charge for admission that day, for everyone who comes - children and adults," Casper noted. "If you come to the preview night, you get first pick. So, if you want the cream of the crop, you should come that night."

Admission is free for the other book sale dates which are Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The sale will be held in the lower level of the library, located at 10 S. Market St. Shoppers should park behind the library and use the rear entrance to access the sale. "We will have books in the hallway downstairs, as well as in the community room," Casper stated. "There will be lots of space for social distancing, lots of room for people to come through with baby strollers, lots of space for people to dig in the boxes and just have fun."

The sale will feature fiction and nonfiction books for adults, along with history books, biographies, paperbacks, trade paperbacks and cookbooks. A wide variety of children's books will also be for sale, along with DVDs and CDs for both children and adults.

"People are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes if they can," Casper said. "If somebody buys more than they can carry, we will help them get their books to their car."

The sale will accept cash, checks or credit cards, and proceeds will benefit the general operating budget of the library. The book sale is the Friends group's biggest fundraiser.

"The sale is a resource for the community," Casper commented. "We have good-quality books at excellent, affordable prices. You really get a bang for your buck. This sale is a way for people to buy affordable books in good condition, and a lot of people stock up on books at our sale."

The Friends group has been holding the fall book sale for many years, Casper said, adding that the sale was originally held on the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds. Volunteers spend all year collecting and sorting book donations to prepare for the sale. "It's kind of like housework - it's never done," Casper stated, with a laugh. "I'm very, very picky when choosing books to put out for the sale. The books are all in good condition. If I wouldn't buy it, I don't put it out."

Volunteers are needed to help with the book sale. To sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/fxec9vj4.