Collectible books and bargains abound at library used book sale

Neatly arranged on a group of tables labeled "Treasures" near the front of the community meeting room at the Billings Public Library is a collection of books only available for public purchase twice a year.

The "collectibles" as they're often referred to by volunteers from the Friends of the Billings Public Library, include volumes believed to be from the mid-19th century, autographed copies, Montana histories and anniversary editions of famous novels.

The collectibles were up for sale Friday as the Friends of the Billings Public Library fall used book sale opened to the public.

Except when the biannual book sales take place, the collectibles remain in storage.

Mixed in among the collectibles are texts catering to specific interests. Friday afternoon as the sale's first day wound down, a history of cowboy hats sat a table away from "Submachine Guns of the United States of America."

Set aside nearby was a 1981 illustrated edition of "Historic Homes of Billings."

"This is kind of the treasure box," said Joedi Johnson, one of two volunteers tasked with pricing the collection of odds and ends. "There are certain people who come here, and if they don't have these kind of special books and it's all the new books, I don't think they'd be happy, because they want to have little weird treasures that they might be able to find."

Montana histories are especially popular, Johnson said, gesturing toward a history of the town of Huntley. Johnson also leafed through copies of Billings Senior High yearbooks from the early 1920s. Called the "Kyote," one edition had both historical photographs of Billings and illustrations from a student.

Many of the books — like a battered collection of poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow dated 1849 — are only $5. Prices can rise to $50 or more depending on the value of the books.

"Honestly, if I see a person that really needs to have a book, we want to be sure they go home with it, whatever it takes. We might even have to sneak it into their car," Johnson said. "If it isn't enough of a deal, we could fix that."

Johnson said that earlier in the day she'd worked on the price of a "beautiful" book from the 1920s about Egypt in order to make sure a woman interested in the book could buy it.

Friday was the first day of the sale open to the public. Thursday evening the sale was open only to members of the Friends of the Billings Public Library.

One couple left Friday's sale with the help of a library cart loaded with their purchases. "The busier day is Friday," said Sue Bach, a volunteer who helped organize the sale. "Those people who just wait for this book sale are hardcore and are waiting at the door."

Waiting at the door means standing outside the library before it opens at 10 a.m.

Book categories available include fiction, nonfiction, classics, drama, poetry, hobbies, crafts, self-help, cookbooks, nonfiction and biography. Book prices are $2 for hardcover, $1 for trade paperbacks and 50 cents for small paperbacks. DVDs are $3 or priced as marked. Audiobooks are priced as marked. CDS are also available for purchase at the sale.

The sale opens again Saturday at 10 a.m. and will end at 4:30 p.m.

Money raised supplements a variety of library programs, Bach said.

"These books are 100 percent donated by the community," Bach said. "There's thousands of stories probably in terms of where these books come from. It is a gift outright from the community and a gift that is poured right back into the library."

Paper gems hide inside used book stores in Waco

With books on shelves and books on the floor, Golden's Book Exchange and Brazos Books are overflowing with possibilities. Tucked affectionately within the worn pages, entire worlds hide in between the paperback covers. There are gems to be found with ample time and a keen eye.

Golden's Used Book Store has been selling and trading used books for 40 years. Outside, a cart of free books sits for the passerby's grabbing hand. Inside, rows and rows of books are stacked and shelved together horizontally and vertically. The shelves of books stretch to the ceiling and far back into the store.

There are entire sections dedicated to one author, whose novels climb over one another. The rest of the store is separated by genre, from stimulating mysteries, to heart-aching romance, to adored classics.

Store manager Pam Vasquez has been working at Golden's since her cousin opened the store.

"Our inventory changes constantly," Vasquez said. "It changes daily, sometimes hourly. We try to keep the shelves fresh with each new book we get."

Vasquez greeted each customer by name as they dropped off their read books and picked up baskets to shop for novels from different genres. Vasquez said her favorite genre to read is mystery, but that it is not the best seller.

"Romance is the best seller," Vasquez said. "A lot of people are say ‘Ugh, romance,' but there are lot more romance readers. It's what keeps us in business."

Many of the books are sold for half their original price, but there are racks of nickel books, 50 cent books and dollar books. On the table of dollar books, "Child 44" stood out, ready to be picked up.

In the back, there are collections of David Whitaker's "Doctor Who," J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and Alan Dean Foster's "Star Trek." An entire shelf is dedicated to books that have become movies. Books such as "Serena" and "The Freedom Writers" wait to be taken home.

Golden's Book Exchange is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and is located at 3112 Franklin Ave.

The same overwhelming number of books can be found at Brazos Book Store, except here, books are scattered on the floor.

Christina Morrow opened Brazos Books in 1993 because of her love of reading and desire to share that love with others.

"I love meeting customers and hearing them talk about books," Morrow said. "It's nice to meet other book lovers."

Customers can only trade books for credit toward new books they would like to purchase. Morrow said she doesn't have a favorite genre, but she has plenty of James Patterson and Nora Roberts novels. Brazos Books is also organized by genre, encouraging customers to carefully look around and comb through the isles.

There is a large section of Christian literature at the storefront and giant yellow sale sign in the back. Morrow mainly seeks out older paperback books to add to its collection. Morrow said she gets the books that can only be read once instead of the classics that are held onto for years.

Brazos Books is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. It is located at 1412 N. Valley Mills Drive.

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