The annual Giant Sale of Books and Media sponsored by the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District is living up to its name. Always one of the biggest sales of its type held in the region, it will be an even-bigger event this year with over 200,000 gently used books, CDs and DVDs available. (Volunteer Suzanne Gillespie says that it took over 16 trips by truck to get all the items moved to the sale location.)
The items were all donated by the community throughout the year, and will be organized by teams of volunteers into categories for easier shopping. The Giant Sale of Books and Media begins on Friday, June 14 and runs through Tuesday, June 18 in a warehouse at the Poughkeepsie Business Park, located at 900 Dutchess Turnpike (Route 44) about a mile east of Adams Fairacre Farms. Admission is free at all times, except for the Early Bird Sale from 8 to 10 a.m. on Friday, June 14, when $10 admission is charged for prime access to the goods (free to Friends of the Poughkeepsie Library with valid membership card).
Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 16; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 17; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the final day, Tuesday, June 18. Items are priced between 50 cents and $2 until Sunday, when prices get cut in half. On Monday, bargain-hunters can bring a grocery bag and fill it full of books and media for $5. On Tuesday, everything is free while supplies last. Customers may pay by cash, Travelers’ Cheques or personal checks with ID.
Set apart from the regular sale will be an area where items are individually priced to reflect their special status: These are rare books, first editions, books of local interest, books signed by the author and coffee-table books. This year there are a large number of books on Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and 19th-century history. These items will also be half-price on Sunday and unavailable after that.
In the past, the sale has grossed $70,000. Given the 15 percent rise in contributions of books and media to the sale this year, perhaps the fundraiser will bring record-breaking profits, all of which will be used to support the many programs of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. There is no restriction on the number of items that may be purchased; in fact, book dealers often arrive from a number of surrounding states and are welcome to purchase in quantity.
Giant Sale of Books & Media, Friday, Saturday & Monday, June 14, 15 & 17, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., free except Friday, June 14, 8-10 a.m. $10, Poughkeepsie Business Park, 900 Dutchess Turnpike (Route 44), Poughkeepsie; www.poklib.org.