THE SALE >

It was another REALLY Big Sale

Every one of our 100+ volunteer loves the excitement of our sale days. Doors open each day at 11. Over the three days, buyers return multiple times as the tables clear and are refilled from the boxes below.  The Highland Concession was open with a full menu to energize volunteers and shoppers alike.

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

The 2020 dates are set for mid-August again - August 13-15.

The line began to form at 8 am for the 11 am opening. Within 15 minutes of this photo being taken, they were all searching for treasures inside.

Here are some comments our patrons shared with our volunteers

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 set up and was taken aback at the “book store” set up 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 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”.

The Sale

This sale just keeps getting bigger. It's grown from a few tables on the lawn 11 years ago to fill six ice sheets at the Highland Curling Club.  And the crowds! The first day, the lobby was crammed and people were lined up for blocks waiting for the doors to open at 11. More than 2400 people came to shop on opening day.

The crowds came in and the books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, games and puzzles went out. Smiles all round. As the ables emptied, boxes were moved up from the floor to fill them again. In most sections, it truly is a new sale each day. 

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

Special thanks to our one hundred plus volunteers, mostly seniors, who will have worked day after day for 5 weeks on this project. And to the younger volunteers, family members and friends who have joined our ranks, we love your enthusiasm and energy. Thank you all!

Another week's work follows the sale as we select and pack items for more than a dozen community organizations and the 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 a pleasure working with you.

Our Inventory

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:

Prices unless otherwise marked

• Hard Cover: $2

• Trades - large paperbacks: $2

• Paperbacks: $1

• Young Adult Books: $1

• Children's Books - small: 3/50¢

• Children's Books - other: prices as marked

• Games & Puzzles: $2

• CDs: $1

• DVDs: $2

• LPs: 50¢

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