Central Street Neighbors Association

The Evanston Public Library Friends are hosting a massive book sale Friday through Sunday, July 16-18, at 2112 Central Street, overlapping the Central Street fair and sidewalk sale, with a "sneak preview" tonight, Thursday, July 15 (see below for details). Donors and volunteers have been processing books for months, and unconfirmed reports place the number of books available at over 20,000. Records, posters and prints of all varieties will also be on sale, including what EPLF says will be some "rare and collectible items." All books will be on sale at marked prices (most $2 or under). On Sunday, bargain-hunters and hoarders can fill a bag with books for $5.
 
Admission to the sale Friday thru Sunday is free. A "sneak preview" is available tonight for $25 from 5-8 pm for dealers, collectors, and the general public (want to find that hand-signed Frances Willard book for $2?). Admission to the preview is free for EPLF members.
 
Book sale details:
Fri., July 16:  9 am - 8 pm.
Sat., July 17:  9 am - 6 pm
Sun., July 18:  11 am - 2 pm
 
Besides being a great chance to stock up on beach reading or a good read for your commute, proceeds will benefit EPLF. The Friends recently raised enough funds to convince the Evanston City Council to keep the North and South branches open another six months while the Library Board, City staff, and City Council study methods of sustainable long-term funding. What level of outside fundraising for the cash-strapped Evanston libraries will remain necessary going forward is undetermined. Continued help for EPLF, whose $160,000 gift to keep the branch libraries open will drain most of its coffers, supports its ongoing efforts to sustain and expand library services. -- Jeff Smith