For any true book lover the words Library Book Sale can cause their heart to flutter with delight. The beauty of living in the DFW metroplex means there are dozens of large libraries that hold these events at least once a year. The Dallas and Fort Worth libraries obviously hold the largest sales with books coming in from donations or excess books from their numerous branches across the metroplex. These sales are usually so large that, in the case of the Fort Worth sale, it’s held in one of the barns in the Will Rogers Coliseum complex in the Fort Worth Cultural District [where: 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76107]. Dallas has been known to hold theirs at the Dallas Convention Center in Downtown Dallas [where: 650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, Texas 75202].

For the other cities like Arlington, their fall book sale is being held on September 17-21 this year at the Meadowbrook Recreation Center [where: 1400 Dugan St Arlington, TX 76010]. They will offer over 50,000 books - and most paperbacks and hardbacks will be $1.00 each! This is usually a great sale to go to for children’s books and cookbooks plus hundreds of fiction and non-fiction selections.

Most of these sales will only accept cash or check, so bring lots of cash and if you don’t trust your self control - leave the checkbook at home (or in the car!). From my experience it also helps to throw a few cardboard boxes in your trunk in case you need to pack up your purchases. Some places will gladly give you their leftover boxes, but you can’t count on it. But don’t lug around a box of books with aching arms and a sweaty brow! Save yourself the strain and bring a personal shopping cart with wheels or even some tote bags, it will be easier to haul around your selections and enjoy browsing.

If the opening day is on a Thursday evening, sneak out of work early and check it out before it gets picked over and messy. Or if you really just want a great deal, go on Sunday which is usually the last day of the sale when they offer even more discounts to get rid of the books. Or for the die-hard, book-loving shopper, go every day of the sale. Sometimes they will have more books that they will continue to add to the sale as space allows. Ask them when you arrive if everything is out, or if they will continue to add to it.

Check out this website for a list of library sales across the country and clear off the bookshelves for some new additions to your collection.