A number of volunteer positions are still open on the weekend days of the sale, October 15 and 16, if you can spare a few hours to help on a shift.

Click on the button to find the schedule, then choose a task and a time to sign up!

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Post Sale volunteers are needed when the sale is finished to pack up books, move furniture, and tidy up. To help with post sale clean up you can sign up here, or go to the Volunteer Page to  sign up.

By the way….

We still need some cash and tally, door, floor, table, and parking monitors for the Sale Days, too!

You need to sign up for a training shift to work at the sale. Use this link to sign up for training and work shifts for Sale Days or go to the Volunteer Page where you can find out what is needed, and then sign up there.

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Click here for a quick visual tour of the Book Sale Site as it is shaping up ahead of the sale, October 12-16.

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The SignUP schedule for Sales Days training and tasks is now available. Please go to the Volunteer page for more information.

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If you have way too many cloth bags, and would like to be rid of some, the Friends of the GPL book sale could sure use some for the upcoming sale. Please ensure that they are in reasonable shape and clean. You can drop them off during donation hours, Monday-Saturday between 2pm and 4pm. Last day for donation drop off is September 19.

Thank you!

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We are thrilled to announce that the FGPL have found a site for our book sale, this year from October 12 to 16!

The sale will be held at the same address as in recent years, 69 Huron St., but in a different, smaller portion of the building (8,000 sq. ft., down from 30,000 sq. ft. in past years). We are working hard to make this smaller area functional. With regret we do not have space to accept and offer everything we have in the past, so would appreciate your help by observing the Donation Guidelines.

Volunteers are always needed! Please visit the Volunteer Page to Sign Up to help set up the sale space, sort donations, or clean up when the sale is over.

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The Friends of the Guelph Public Library mourn the recent passing of our staunch friend, Alan Pickersgill. Alan passed away after a fight with cancer on February 3, 2021. From his obituary in Guelph Today, “Alan was a writer and photographer. He was a voracious reader and knew the value of public libraries to their communities.” Alan was also an Executive Member and Treasurer of the Friends of the Guelph Public Library for many years. He played a crucial role in making the annual book sales successful. Anyone fortunate enough to have known Alan will remember his ever-present smile, mischievous sense of humour, and deep commitment to social justice. The sympathies of the Friends are with Lynne and his family.   [Photo credit – Guelph Today]

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Did you miss the Giant Book Sale as much as we did?

October just doesn’t seem right without it!

Book sale profits have grown every year for the past 14.  After expenses, most of the revenue is invested in the Guelph Community Foundation with the intention that when the City finally breaks ground on the new main library the Friends of the Library will make a substantial gift to the Library.

Presently, the investment totals nearly $900,000.  Had the 2020 book sale taken place, there is little doubt we could have put it over $1,000,000!  What an accomplishment that would have been in this sad year!

If you are one who reviews you charitable givings at this time of the year with a view to your year-end tax situation, please consider donating money you would have spent at the Book Sale, to the Friends of the Guelph Public library, to be added to the investment.

It works best for us if you make your donation through Canada Helps. You will receive a tax receipt immediately.

Covid willing, the Giant Book Sale will be back next year.  In the meantime, please consider this alternative.

Thank you!

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By an 8-5 vote, Guelph City Council voted on October 7 in favour of proceeding with the new main library project. Read all about it here.

Thanks to everyone who wrote letters, spoke to the Councillors, or delegated at the recent meetings. Your overwhelming show of support was invaluable in moving this project forward.

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