One of Menlo Park’s oldest traditions, the Menlo Park Friends of the Library Book Fair, takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20, on the grounds adjacent to the library, at the corner of Ravenswood Avenue and Laurel Street in the Menlo Park Civic Center. Hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
More than 30,000 “gently used” books will be offered in 30 categories, including biography, travel, psychology, religion, and children’s classics.
Most books will sell for less than $2, many for $1.
“A student can still find a complete ‘Shakespeare’ for a dollar,” says Friend’s spokesman Tim Goode.
He advises shoppers to come early on Saturday morning for the best buys. The number of cashiers has been doubled to expedite sales and volunteers will help carry shoppers’ purchases to their cars.
This year, instead of an auction in the council chambers, there will be a selection of “special books.” There will be no bidding. Instead, the price of each book will be marked inside the front cover. The auction is being postponed until 2010 in order to build up the collection of quality books, according to Friends member Jackie Drew
Snacks, such as cookies donuts, coffee, and orange juice, will be for sale.
Through the Book Fair, the Friends of the Library has been able to donate $100,000 toward renovation of the children’s library, scheduled to start in November; $50,000 to Project Read; and more than $100,000 for special needs for both the main library and the Belle Haven library, says Mr. Goode.
YouTube 'auditor' provoked, pepper-sprayed shopper at Mountain View Costco, police sayApril 8, 2026 12:23 pm
