Palo Alto's libraries will be closed on Monday January 19 in observance of the holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.  Even when the libraries are closed, you can still search the online catalog, submit reference desk questions, access many online resources, and get book recommendations.

Non-profit organizations and schools that need free books should come to the Bargain Room this month from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, January 11.  Please bring your own grocery bags to put books into.  More information.

A New Year Brings Some Changes in Book Sale

The success of the Book Sale continues. Our new outdoor sale has been popular with regulars and introduced us to some of our neighbors who didn't even know who we were! The outdoor sale is now a permanent Book Sale fixture unless bad weather prevents it. We have also had inquiries from numerous customers as to why we were not open longer hours on Sunday. The main reason was that we simply did not have enough volunteer manpower to manage it. But now, thanks to the cooperation of our outstanding volunteers, including some brand new ones, we can proudly annouce that starting this month Sunday hours will be 11am to 4pm in ALL rooms. Saturday hours remain unchanged.

 
Preview Our Shelves

Check out some of the tens of thousands of books that will be on sale this weekend using our shelf preview pictures.

With donations coming in at record numbers our three selling rooms fill up quickly. The Friends expanded to a new sales area outside of the entrance to Marty's (Main) Room on an experimental basis. All items offered in this area are only $1.00 each and we have a great selection of books, movies, music and games. There are great bargains to be had. Popular items here have been hardback novels, cooking, science, military, reference (get a nice old dictionary for only $1.00!), travel guides, and VHS movies. This part of the sale opens at 9am under the big green tents.

 
Great Book in Foreign Languages

Two months in a row we have received large donations of books in Chinese and Japanese. There is something for every taste from romance novels to computer programming books. There are graphic novels (manga) in both languages. Prices start at only 50 cents. We also have an extensive selection of books in other languages including French, Spanish, Russian and German. The latter section includes an interesting vintage set of books pertaining to the Battle of Stalingrad from the German historical perspective.

 
Free Stuff!

Not everything that comes into our operation goes up for sale. We receive a lot of things that are not marketable but still useful. These things we offer to the public free of charge. For example, binders and file folders are put outside the entrance door to Marty's (Main) Room and are free for the taking. To the right of the door there is often a pile of cardboard boxes. If you are moving or just need some boxes, this is a great resource. Help yourself, please. Outside of the Bargain Room (K7) we put free books out on a regular basis, including encyclopedias that are too old to sell but still useful.

By shopping at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and Amazon.com, a percentage of your purchase price can help the Palo Alto Libraries at no cost to you.  At Kepler's, just mention to the cashier that you want to support the Friends of the Palo Alto Library.  For Amazon.com, always start your shopping session by clicking here or on the Amazon link on the top right of any of our web pages at www.friendspaloaltolib.org.  Virtually all purchases you make at Amazon are eligible, not just books.  Over the years, we've raised thousands of dollars to help our libraries through these programs.

 
December Sale Friends Members Get Early Start

Members of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library got a chance to shop early in the Main Room at our December 13 sale.  At this once-a-year-event, regular members are admitted one hour early and Life members get in two hours before non-members.  More information.