Amarillo Public Library hosts first in-person book sale since pandemic

Brianna Maestas
Amarillo Globe-News
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The Amarillo Public Library and Friends of the Amarillo Public Library have returned to in-person book sales.

Rebecca Cole looks to the lower shelves for good books during the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library Book Sale, which is held by appointment only.

Due to the pandemic, last year the library held its book sales virtually as a safety precaution.

According to Stacy Clopton, public relations coordinator for Amarillo Public Library, they are excited to be back in person.

“When we’ve done the virtual sales, they were a lot of work for us and they were a lot of work for the shoppers because we took photographs of the shelves and people had to go through the shelves to look for what they wanted and then we had to pull them," Clopto said. "It was a lot more labor intensive. There were more than 500 photographs posted every time. This is easier and a little more fun for people to browse the shelves themselves."

The return to in-person sales began Monday but the process is not exactly like it was pre-pandemic. The library has set up appointment times, where 10 individuals are allowed to shop in 90-minute sessions.

“It’s a little different. Normally, this place is packed, there are a couple hundred people down here and of course that’s why we couldn’t do it the traditional way right now with our COVID numbers the way they are," Clopton said. "We had heard about some other library groups trying this. It’s an experiment so we will see how it goes." 

Grant Allard finds books of interest during the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library Book Sale which is held by appointment only.

One longtime attendee of the book sale, Grant Allard, who had attended and volunteered with the sale for eight years, shared his enthusiasm of being able to shop in person again.

“There's not very many people but it's nice to be back; it was harder to look for the books before when you're just scrolling through pictures, so it's good to be back in person,” Allard said. 

According to Clopton, the first week had 60 attendees signed up to attend with plans to begin scheduling appointments for next week.

Sarah Zoller and Tim Dewbre find interesting books at the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library Book Sale which is held by appointment only.

The time slots available for next week are 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. No more than 10 people will be admitted to the book sale at one time and masks will be required. The sale will host traditional book sale prices of $7.50 per bag, or three bags for $20, officials said.

Individuals can sign up by sending an email to Stacy.Clopton@amarillolibrary.org including the name of the attendee and the names of any additional members attending; and three preferred time slot selections.  

After a time slot has been confirmed, individuals are asked to check in at the Downtown Library Circulation Desk before being directed to the basement, where the sale is held.

All proceeds raised from the book sale will go to continuing to support Amarillo Public Library programs.

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