If you live in Ithaca, one of the questions you will inevitably be asked is "Did you get to the Book Sale?" If you are new to Ithaca, you may look questioningly at the person asking you and wonder what they mean -- but long time residents know that "the Book Sale" can mean only one event of its kind, dwarfing all others in the area and even nationwide -- the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library Fall Book Sale.

Jean Strout, an Ithaca Book Sale volunteer. Photo from the Book Sale web site.

How many books does it take to be the third largest in the nation? The Book Sale sells annually nearly 400,000 items between its two book sales. The fall sale is the larger sale, having the lion's share of the items available. There will be over 275,000 books, CDs, videos, DVDs, and other items being sold at the Book Sale site -- 509 Esty Street -- when the sale begins on October 2nd. All items are used, donated by community members.

Music lovers, especially those who think that the epitome of sound was on vinyl, will be especially pleased with this year's selection. "We have three times as many records as usual this year," says Ginger Cohen, the Book Sale's fall coordinator. "So many, in fact, that they are being sold from a trailer next to the building which we've dubbed 'The Music Box.'"

Hardcover books will be $4.50 opening day, but other items, such as children's items and mass market paperbacks, and yes, those many, many records, will be priced at a lower rate. Prices also drop each day. By the end, items are selling for a dime each or, in the last hours, for a dollar a bag! But don't wait until the end of the sale; the best selection is the first day.

The books are sorted into over sixty categories and then fine-sorted into an order that makes sense for the category -- most often alphabetical by author's last name. This sale may only be the 3rd largest in the nation, but it is certainly the best organized.

The money raised by the Book Sale goes towards libraries and literacy efforts in Tompkins County. Obviously much of the money goes to our public library, but money also goes towards the Finger Lakes Library System, local literacy related not-for-profits, and grants for those who study the library sciences.

It takes the ongoing efforts of the local community to keep the Book Sale going strong year after year. Over 300 volunteers collectively put in over 14,000 hours towards making the sale work. (I personally put in a few each year sorting their comic collection and during the sale, for example) Volunteers also donate baked goods and other items to keep the volunteers charged up for the gargantuan task of sorting all the items. Community members help out by donating the books and by joining the Friends themselves.

• Join the Friends of the Library

And, of course, if you want to donate those books, you can drop them off at the Book Sale building! Books are accepted ten months of the year -- the beginning of November through the end of August. Books are not accepted during September and October, so there's no continued influx while the sale is finalized. You can contact the Book Sale at 607-272-2223 if you need more information or to make special arrangements.

• How to donate books, etc.

People come from all over the United States and the globe to visit the Book Sale. Book sellers from across the nation know it as a good place to stock up, even though the Sale does have rules designed to make sure that non-dealers are given equal chance to get the great bargains. And local residents are the largest population of Book Sale patrons. "I always look forward to going to the Book Sale. There are always surprises regarding what's available and prices that I would never thought possible. For example, I got the entire multi-volume James Herriot biography for the cost of a single book, new. Most recently, I got two fabulous biographies of Thomas Jefferson for 50 cents. When is the Sale this year?" asked Richard Kinne, local resident and repeat Sale patron. (It's the 2nd through 11th and 16th through 18th of October, Doc!)

Buying books from the Book Sale is a great way to expand your own library or get bargain priced holiday gifts. Many items are in great condition, despite being used, and where else do you find hundreds of thousands of items for $4.50 or less? The Book Sale is one of those unique things about Ithaca that help make our community a great place to live!