LITERATURE + LECTURES

The Friends of the Houston Public Library invite the community to the 31st Annual Bargain Book Sale, Houston's largest community book sale, scheduled for April 17 thru April 19, 2009 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, 77010. More than 80,000 books will be available to the public at "bargain" prices, with proceeds benefiting the Houston Public Library.

A preview sale for members of the Friends of the Houston Public Library will be held on Friday, April 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 9p.m. Non-members may purchase a tax-deductible membership at the door starting at $20.

Admission is free and open to the public on Saturday's Family Day, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday's Bag Day, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bag Day, now a tradition at the book sale allows customers to fill a Fiesta Mart bag with books for just $10. Bags will be provided by Fiesta Mart.

From paperbacks to collector's finds, the Annual Bargain Book Sale has something for everyone. Children's books, cookbooks, gardening books, books on history, art and science are but a few of the offerings. This sale also features a selection of adult and children's books in foreign languages, African-American studies, graphic novels, reference books including encyclopedias and much more.

Regular adult books are priced at $2 for hardcover editions and $1 for paperbacks. Better and Best books are individually priced. Regular children's books are $1; Better children's books are $2 and up. In response to customer requests, a new Easy category for picture books has been added to the children's section. All Easy books, including award books and recent publications, will be priced at $1. MasterCard and Visa will be accepted for purchases.

Sponsors of the Friends of the Houston Public Library 31st Annual Bargain Book Sale include Greenstar North America, The Greensheet, Fiesta Mart, Antonio's Mexican Grill, and the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) who has generously sponsored the event for the past 10 years. This marks the 11th year of the Bargain Book Sale at the GRB.

The Friends of the Houston Public Library also need volunteers to help set up the sale, tally books sold, guide attendees to the books they are looking for, all sorts of tasks. Bring along your friends, your book club members, anyone and everyone who can spend a few hours at this traditional annual event. Visit the Friends' Web site to fill out an interactive volunteer form at www.friendsofhpl.org .

For more information on the 31st Annual Bargain Book Sale or to volunteer, visit www.friendsofhpl.org  or call 832-393-1387.