We've got the books, now it's time for the sale!
The annual Times Colonist Book Sale runs Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, with hundreds of thousands of books on sale at the Victoria Curling Club at 1952 Quadra St.
The sale, which goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, will mark the culmination of a massive effort in which hundreds of volunteers spent almost two weeks sorting the books after they were donated by generous Times Colonist readers at a drive-through drop-off.
Here’s what you need to know:
• The prices are a big part of the attraction: hardcovers $3; softcovers $2; pocket books and children’s books $1.
• Payment is by cash, debit, MasterCard, Visa or American Express, but no cheques.
Bring a little bit of money and a little bit of patience. The sale often starts off with a lineup around the block. Some shoppers treat the queue (it often starts before midnight Friday) as part of the experience. Others prefer to sleep in and let the line disappear. With hundreds of thousands of volumes on offer, it’s not as though there’s a rush to get at the books.
Wear comfy shoes, as you’ll be on a concrete floor. Some people like to bring their own carrier bags, while others prefer to pick up a cardboard box (or two, or three …) at the curling club.
Remember that children’s books are upstairs (but leave your baby strollers downstairs, please).
If you get peckish, the Good Fellows café inside the curling club will be open.
Pay parking is available in the lot that serves the curling club and Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. There is also free parking along Quadra, but be aware that parking on some of the nearby side streets is for residents only. You can also take the No. 6 bus, which goes along Quadra Street.
Once the sale is over, representatives of schools and non-profit groups may help themselves to the remaining books, for free, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
The sale has raised more than $5 million since it started in 1998. As usual, all the money raised will go to education and literacy programs on Vancouver Island.
