Wisconsin's largest used-book sale will begin today at 5 p.m. in 116 Memorial Library. Hosted by the Friends of the UW-Madison Libraries, the sale runs until Saturday and will offer nearly 15,000 publications.
Since the spring of 1996, the group has held the fundraising sale every March and October, offering thousands of donated volumes on topics such as history, business, philosophy, literature and science. The majority of material is donated from other universities, UW-Madison faculty and students and local residents.
\We have essentially everything,"" said Don Johnson, senior editor of External Relations at Memorial Library. ""About every major subject is covered.""
This particular sale falls on the date of the Wisconsin Book Festival, scheduled specifically by the Friends to benefit both activities.
""There's a certain symbiotic relationship when you're talking about a state-wide celebration of the book and offering an opportunity for people to acquire books,"" Johnson said.
All profits will be used to sponsor the group's various programs. These include numerous grants to campus libraries, acquisition and restoration of books for the libraries and programs to allow visiting students access to materials no longer in circulation.
""It's the principle way we generate revenue, which is pretty much turned around and given back to the library,"" said Thomas Garver, liason to the Friends.
Expectations for the sale are high following the success of previous years. At the sale last March, the Friends reported a net profit of $21,000 and a sale rate of 95 percent of materials, with only five boxes left from more than 500.
""We're always pleasantly surprised by the success of the sales. ... We've never felt we've had an unsuccessful sale,"" Johnson said.
Admission to the sale today costs $5 because customers will have first selection of the merchandise. After today, admission is free and all prices are cut in half.
Hardcover books will start at $4 and softcover books at $2. A bag sale will be held on Saturday, offering a paper bag worth of books for $2.
