Friends of Rodman book sale has more than 15,000 items available for purchase

More than 15,000 items are on sale during the 2023 Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale, an event that draws people from across the country to Alliance. Part of the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival, the sale runs now through Wednesday at 405 S. Linden Ave.

ALLIANCE − The popular Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale returned Saturday, kicking off a five-day literary frenzy.

Known for drawing people from across the country and Canada, the event has more than 15,000 items for sale at rock-bottom prices.

The annual event is part of the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival.

“All proceeds go to the library” for programming, said event organizer Barbara Burley, president of the Friends of Rodman Public Library.

Detailed information: Friends of Rodman book sale kicks off Aug. 5

People shopping on Saturday said the sale is one of their favorite summertime events, with its huge selection and low prices. From 10-cent magazines to $1 hardback books, shoppers couldn’t resist the deals, and purchases of boxes of books was a common sight.

Joseph Seefeldt, 13, of Damascus, browses a line of books at the 2023 Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at the Alliance Commons.

Stow resident Ashley Jones, a kindergarten teacher shopping with her mother Tina Smithberger, took 75 children’s books to their car for $20. Jones said she was getting the books for her classroom.

“We bought books at Goodwill and spent $100,” Smithberger said. “But we came here and got twice as much for less.”

Seeing signs for the sale, Jessica Herring of Alliance made an impromptu decision to check it out.

Jessica Herring of Alliance shops at the 2023 Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. The popular sale draws people from across the country.

“I found a lot stuff for my nephew. That’s the reason I came here,” she said, “but I’m finding other stuff that I didn’t know I wanted. But I want them.”

This year’s sale is similar to past versions, running through Wednesday at Alliance Commons (the former Alliance Neighborhood Center) at 405 S. Linden Ave. The first day of the event was for members only. It is open to the general public Sunday through Wednesday.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The last day of the sale is pay-by-donation day.

Burley also said people who make purchases on Tuesday will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing that includes an electric recliner from Grove Appliance TV Furniture & Mattress.

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All of the materials in the sale come from community or school donations and the Rodman Public Library, Burley said. The group raised nearly $12,000 last year through the book sale and other events.

Dale Chryst of Sebring browses through the line of books at the 2023 Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at the Alliance Commons.

Dale Chryst of Sebring and his wife visit the book sale annually. He said you cannot beat the prices.

“They have a real good selection of a variety of books,” Chryst said. “My wife and I come every year. We might even come back later in the week.”

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Friends of Rodman Public Library Used Book Sale returned Saturday