Book Sales
Event Calendar
Learn more about our Book Sales
There is no admission charge for the sales, and all proceeds support our lending library services, our robust roster of programs and events, our Special Collections exhibitions, and our School Outreach tours. You may donate books and media year-round in the shed off the library parking lot.
Are you a public school teacher in Connecticut? You may qualify for $100 worth of books for use in your classroom or for professional development through Books for Teachers. Many thanks to the Renée B. Fisher Foundation for their generous support of this program. Click here to learn more about the Books for Teachers program.
Book sales take place four times a year. Check our calendar or scroll down for more information on hours, parking, categories of items on sale, and much more.
Summer Book Sale: One of the largest book sales in New England, our Summer Book Sale draws book lovers from near and far with a selection of over 100,000 items in over 50 categories. The five-day sale is held in large tents on the Great Lawn and parking lot and in the Auditorium and Reading Room of the Library. Learn more
Black Friday/Saturday Book Sale: Beat the crowds the days after Thanksgiving and browse new items and gently used materials that we’ve selected with gift-giving in mind.
Midwinter Book Sale: Come in from the cold and browse for books in a cozy, intimate environment.
Spring Blowout Book Sale: Join us for this special one-day sale in April, with many treasures and bargains to be found in our historic auditorium!
Friday, July 24 – Tuesday, July 28
the 65th Annual Summer Book Sale
Pequot Library’s Summer Book Sale is one of New England’s biggest and best, attracting readers from all over with an incredible selection of over 100,000 items across 50+ categories. For five days, our Great Lawn, parking lot, auditorium, and historic Reading Room are transformed into a browser’s paradise.
Admission is free. Every purchase you make directly supports Pequot Library’s programs, exhibitions, and services, benefiting more than 56,000 adults and children each year. We raise approximately 20% of our annual operating budget from fundraisers such as our book sales.
Come for the bargains, stay for the experience—it’s a summer tradition you won’t want to miss!
Shopping Hours
Friday, July 24: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 27: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pricing
Friday, July 24
Under the Tents
$4 Hardcovers | $3 Paperbacks | $2 Children’s Paperbacks | $1 Mass Market | $4 LPs | $3 DVDs | $2 CDs| $.50 Comics
In the Auditorium
All items priced as marked
*FRIDAY ONLY: 20% OFF when you spend $250+ or more*
Saturday, July 26
Under the Tents
$3 Hardcovers | $2 Paperbacks | $2 Children’s Paperbacks | $1 Mass Market | $3 LPs | $2 DVDs | $1.50 CDs | $.50 Comics
In the Auditorium
Books: $1 off all marked prices
Specials
20% off those items marked with inventory price tags
*10% OFF when you spend $200+ on non-Special items*
Sunday, July 27
Under the Tents
$2 Hardcovers | $1 Paperbacks | $1 Children’s Paperbacks | $.50 Mass Market | $2 LPs | $1 DVDs | $1 CDs | $.25 Comics
In the Auditorium
All items: 25% off marked prices
Monday, July 28
Under the Tents
$1 Hardcovers | $.50 Paperbacks | $.50 Children’s Paperbacks | $.50 Mass Market | $1 LP’s | $.50 DVDs | $.50 CDs | $.10 Comics
In the Auditorium
All items: 50% off marked prices
Tuesday, July 29
$5 PER BAG!
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Scanners and other wireless devices are welcome in sales areas; stockpiling and “clearing” are not permitted. Help us save the environment: If possible, please bring your own reusable bags! Prices subject to change.
Categories
Pequot Library’s Summer Book Sale offers books and items in more than 50 categories, including:
Arts & Architecture • Atlas & Dictionary • Biography • Business • CDs • Children’s Books • Classics • Comics & Magazines • Cookbooks • Crafts & Hobbies • CT, NY & New England • DVDs • Education & Text • Family & Parenting • Fiction • Foreign Language • Gardening & Nature • Graphic Novels • Health • History • Humor • Large Print • Law & Crime • Maritime • Mass Market Paperbacks • Military History • Mystery • Old & Interesting • ‘Ologies • Oversize Paperbacks • Performing Arts • Pets & Animals • Photography • Poetry • Recorded Books • Records • Religion & Philosophy • Science & Computers • Science Fiction • Self-Help • Spies • Sports • Transportation • Travel • Young Adult • and more!
Parking
Street parking is available on the Library side of the street along Pequot Avenue and Westway Road.
Park for Food: Bring nonperishable food items, canned goods, or make a donation to be eligible for premiere parking at Trinity Episcopal Church (651 Pequot Avenue).
Specials
All of our books are special, but some truly shine! Every year, Pequot Library offers a stunning collection of collectible treasures—available online and in person! The collectibles catalog is compiled with vibrant photos and detailed descriptions of each unique piece
We strive to price our books fairly, but we’re open to offers! Feel free to submit your bids on any catalog item by emailing us at booksale@pequotlibrary.org. Have questions? Reach out—we’re happy to help!
Let the treasure hunt begin.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join our team of volunteers! Unpack books before the sale or act as a cashier during the sale.
Save the Date: all Book Sale volunteers (along with donors who give $250+ annually) are invited to our Preview Party at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22. Be the very first to browse the treasures before the crowds. Enjoy light refreshments, mingle with fellow book lovers, and kick off the sale in literary style.
Friday Morning “Numbers”
The first day of Pequot Library’s Summer Book Sale (Friday) is a busy time, with hundreds of eager patrons gathering on the Great Lawn. To ensure that the opening moments of the sale are as orderly and equitable as possible, the Library will hand out “numbers” at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 to those who wish to be among the first inside. These numbers will determine the patron’s place in line on Friday morning. You do not need to reserve a number in advance in order to participate in the sale.
Please note: Numbers are not required for entrance to the Sale on Friday morning. Anyone without a number may take a place in line after patrons with numbers on Friday morning. The line moves quickly after the Sale begins at 9:00 a.m. Everyone will be inside within a minute or two.
Summer Book Sale sponsors
