The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library will host its May Book Sale from Wednesday, May 20, through Saturday, May 23, at the Central Library Lecture Room, 210 Central Ave. Most books are priced at $2, with all genres represented, and the sale wraps up with a half-price Friday and a $5-per-bag Saturday finale.
The Friends of the Library is a volunteer-run nonprofit that supports the Bellingham Public Library through fundraising, advocacy, and community programming. Its book sales are among the most well-attended community events on the Bellingham calendar, drawing seasoned bargain hunters, casual readers, students, and anyone who appreciates a deep cut at a low price. All proceeds from the sale go directly to benefit library programs and services.
The sale schedule is staggered to reward early and late browsers alike. Wednesday and Thursday, May 20 and 21, run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at full price. Friday, May 22, also runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but at half off the already-modest prices. Saturday, May 23, wraps up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a flat $5-per-bag deal for those who want to load up on the remaining inventory.
Both credit card and cash payments will be accepted throughout the sale. The Lecture Room at the Central Library is located on the ground floor of the main building and is accessible for those with mobility needs. The library is served by Whatcom Transportation Authority routes and has limited on-street and surface lot parking in the downtown core.
Book sales like this one have a long tradition at the Bellingham Public Library. The Friends organization has been supporting the library for decades, and the sale format has evolved over time to include books, DVDs, and other media across all genres, from children's picture books to local history to literary fiction and everything in between.
For the best selection, serious shoppers typically recommend arriving on Wednesday or Thursday morning when inventory is freshest. If your goal is maximizing volume on a tight budget, Friday afternoon or Saturday morning are the sweet spots. The $5 bag sale on Saturday tends to move fast.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Friends of the Library or learning more about upcoming sales can visit bellinghampubliclibrary.org/friends-of-the-library. The library is also in the midst of a renovation fundraising campaign that recently hit the $2.5 million milestone.
The May Book Sale runs May 20-23 at 210 Central Ave. No tickets or registration required. Just show up, browse, and bring a bag.
