THE SALE…

Get ready for the next Big Book Sale - June 26-29, 2024

We are so happy to announce the dates for the 2024 Big Book Sale. Our volunteers love the excitement of the sale days just as much as our customers, many of whom attend every day as the tables clear and are refilled from the boxes below. And everyone enjoys a break at The Highland Concession. We are sticking with June dates again this year because it worked so well in 2023.

The Highland Curling Club, 348 Broad Street, has a large parking area to the north and street parking as well.

The 2024 dates and times are:

Wednesday, June 26th, 11AM to 8PM

Thursday, June 27th, 11AM to 8PM

Friday, June 28th, 11AM to 8PM

Saturday, June 29th, 11AM to 5PM

2024 prices unless otherwise marked

Cash, debit, Visa and MasterCard accepted. No cheques. ATM on site.

• Hardcovers: $2

• Trades and large paperbacks: $2

• Paperbacks: $1

• Cookbooks: $1

• Romance novels (small): 50¢

• Games: $2

• Puzzles: up to 1500 pieces $2; over 1500 pieces $3

• CDs: 2 for $1 or 5 for $2

• DVDs: $2

• LPs: $1

• Sheet music: 50¢ per unit

Our 2024 Inventory and Floor Map outlined below will be updated as they become finalized.

Fiction – sorted by author
Classics, Romance, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories, and more.

Non-Fiction – sorted by category and sub-categories
The categories change each year as trends come and go, but the favourites appear again and again.

Here are some comments our patrons shared with our volunteers over the years

One women and her adult son commented that our book sale was better than shopping at Chapters – the selection was just as good and the prices cannot be beat! Every book they were looking for, they found, plus a few treasures they didn’t expect to find.

A first time patron was amazed at how well organized the books were. She had expected a “garage sale” type of setup and was taken aback at the “book store” setup and the selection of books. She said she will definitely be back next year, with a few friends in tow. One of our volunteers explained that the selection is only as good as the donations, but the organization is due to the hardworking, experienced book sale committee and volunteers.

A former colleague of one of our volunteers, who is now semi-retired, was amazed at the categorization. The volunteer put in a plug for the Seniors’ University Group, by telling her she should join and take advantage of all the interesting classes/opportunities available at the Lifelong Learning Centre.

More than once people commented on the the roomy sales area – wide aisles making it easier for individuals with walking devices; room to explore the books on the floor without getting bumped by others; good separation between the fiction / non-fiction / popular authors / children-young adult / arts (music/DVD/etc) sections; and appreciation for the volunteers on the floor restocking books, answering questions, giving directions, or helping to find specific authors.

Many appreciated being given a floor plan at the entrance to the sale to find their way even though the setup is much the same as it was at the Tartan.

And this email:

“My daughter and I had the opportunity to go to The Big Book Sale for the first time this year. I wanted to say how unbelievably impressed I was with the amazing organization. I had no idea everything would be sorted by author and all non-fiction would be separated by categories. All DVD's were arranged alphabetically. WOW! Bags and boxes were provided to take our purchases home if we forgot to bring a bag.

I was certain it would be cash only and when my daughter and I totalled our findings and I realized I only had $9 out of the $25 we owed, I was pleasantly surprised to see you had credit and debit! The organization for the check out and purchase area was again impressive.

And, what can I say about the volunteers...they were wonderful! All so friendly and cheerful. Myself being a volunteer, I know how important it is to hear the words, thank you. Thank you to all the volunteers!!! You are amazing.

This experience has once again enforced what a wonderful City we live in and what wonderful communities we have!” ~K

 And from an enthusiastic, if weary, volunteer:

“Just wanted to pass along my congratulations for another well organized and successful book sale. This is my 3rd year helping with the sale and each year it becomes more and more addicting and fun! I wasn’t able to help as much as I would have liked due to co-workers submitting their holiday requests before me. But next year, I’ll beat them to the punch so I can help out a bit more. Again, thanks for an amazing event.”

2023 Sale

The sale just keeps getting better every year. More than 2,300 people came to shop on opening day. We even experienced open table space by the Friday, which we’re not used to. Our hourly attendance on the final day was even better than the day before. Some people may have waited to the last day thinking there wouldn’t be crowds, but there were crowds every day!

Those crowds came in and the books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, games and puzzles went out. As the tables emptied, boxes were moved up from the floor to fill them again. In most sections, it truly is a new sale each day. The joy of puzzling has definitely made a resurgence since the pandemic; most of the puzzles were gone by the end of Day 1.

We offer our sincere appreciation to everyone involved with this wonderful event: our generous donors and customers, the media, and our sponsors – Crown Shred & Recycling, Loraas Disposal, and the Highland Curling Club.

Special thanks to our 100+ volunteers, mostly seniors, who worked day after day for 4 weeks on the 2023 sale. And to the younger volunteers, family members and friends who have joined our ranks, we love your enthusiasm and energy. Thank you!

Another week of work follows the sale as items are selected and packed to donate to over 20 community organizations and charities, as well as The Book Project for Saskatchewan Jails. There are hundreds of cardboard boxes to be flattened for recycling and tables to be stowed away.

Our sincere thanks to the the Highland and Concession staff. It is always a pleasure working with you.

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