About Us
Friends of the Library
Did you know that the Friends sell used books on Amazon.com? The inventory changes frequently, so check back often to see what's available online.
For nearly 50 years, the Friends of The City Library has dedicated itself to supporting and enriching the Salt Lake City Public Library. In that time Friends volunteers have worked thousands of hours, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and promoted community literacy.
We invite you to join this dynamic group of individuals who share a love of books and libraries. Your contribution will make a significant difference. Proceeds earned through membership dues, used book sales, and The Library Store are donated to the library and help support
- public programs and events
- library equipment and furnishings
- outreach to the community
- collections and services
- educational support for library staff
Membership benefits
Good Friend $12.00/year
- Admission to Used Book Sale Preview Night
- Free subscription to the library's quarterly newsletter
- 10% discount at The Library Store
Family Friend $25.00/year
(up to two adults living at the same address & dependent children age 18 and younger)
- Admission to Used Book Sale Preview Night
- Free subscription to the library's quarterly newsletter
- 10% discount at The Library Store
- $2.00 annual discount at the Used Book Sale
- $2.00 annual discount on library fines
Devoted Friend $50.00-$99.00/year
- Admission to Used Book Sale Preview Night
- Free subscription to the library's quarterly newsletter
- 10% discount at The Library Store
- $3.00 annual discount at the Used Book Sale
- $3.00 annual discount on library fines
Best Friend $100.00 and up/year
- Admission to Used Book Sale Preview Night
- Free subscription to the library's quarterly newsletter
- 10% discount at The Library Store
- $3.00 annual discount at the Used Book Sale
- $3.00 annual discount on library fines
- Coupon redeemable for a gift book bag at The Library Store
Friends of the Library Mail-In Membership
The Library Store
Located in the crescent wall of the Main Library, The Library Store is a gift shop owned and operated by the Friends with all profits returned to the Library. Its mission is to further the City Library's goals and support library programs by offering unique, whimsical, and educational merchandise which celebrates words and letters, reading, writing, and literature. The Library Store stocks gifts for all ages and in all price ranges. Customers will be delighted to find beautiful and unusual jewelry, journals, greeting cards, pens and pencils, stationery, bookends, bookmarks, and many more wonderfully unexpected items.
The Library Store hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
The Used Book Sale
Next sale:
Members Only Preview Sale
October 2010
Public Sale
October 2010
Several times a year, the Friends of the Library sponsor a huge used book sale in the lower level of the Main Library. Tens of thousands of used books, videos, and magazines for all ages and on every imaginable subject are available at very low prices. Prices continue to drop throughout the four-day sale, so you can find fabulous bargains by shopping every day of the sale.
Patrons often ask where all the books in the sale come from. They are from the Library's collections and from public donations. Librarians must carefully choose what is added to our collection of 750,000 items. They select material in a broad range of formats which respond to the interest and demand of the public and which provide a balance of ideas and concepts. As new items are added, librarians must discard materials that are worn-out, damaged beyond repair, outdated, or no longer in demand. Those materials are sent to the used book sale where Friends volunteers spend hundreds of hours sorting and preparing them for sale.
Many books are donated by the public. Donated items are carefully reviewed to determine if they will be added to our collection. If not, they are added to the used book sale. If you have books you would like to donate, please think of the City Library. It is a great way to recycle your old books, share your favorite reads with others, and support the Library at the same time.
In addition to the Used Book Sale and The Library Store, the Friends sell used
books on Amazon.com. The inventory changes frequently. Please check out
what's available online.
The Library Store on Amazon.com
Book Donations
The Library accepts:
- books, hardback and paperback
- audio cassettes
- compact discs
- DVDs
- videocassettes
- vinyl records
- sheet music
The Library cannot use:
- books in poor condition
- magazines
- investment books published more than 3 years ago
- computer books published more than 3 years ago
- tax books published more than 5 years ago
- business books published more than 10 years ago
- text books published more than 10 years ago
- art prints
All donated materials are reviewed by a librarian to determine if they will be added to the library's collection. Approximately 10,000 gift books are added annually. The remainders are given to the Friends of the Library who then sort and shelve them for re-sale. Used book sale proceeds are donated back to the library. Books that do not sell are given to charitable and non-profit organizations.
How and where do I donate books?
Books may be donated at any of the city's six library locations. We prefer large donations (more than several boxes) to be taken to the Main Library. If you bring a large donation to the Main Library and need help unloading it, please call 524-8202 in advance to make arrangements.
Is my book donation tax-deductible?
Yes. If you wish to receive a receipt which can be used for tax filing purposes, please ask your librarian for the proper form.
About Our Buildings Contact Us Friends of the Library Internet Policy Jobs Our Organization Support the Salt Lake City Library Volunteer