Treasures To Be Found at Friends Book Sale

Last year at the Friends of the Belmont Public Library book sale, I found a book that I had been captivated with since I was in college.

Sitting in the middle of the table straining under the weight of over-sized art books was a first edition of "Cape Light," Joel Meyerowitz's first book published in 1979. The book and its cover was not only in great condition, inside was a wonderful inscription and a signature from the author. And for $4, it was now mine, a great addition to my library.

"Cape Light" was not the only first edition or rare find I discovered at the book sale; there was a influential book on word usage that became a great gift and a history of Boston.

But for most residents, including myself, the yearly three-day sale held in mid-October is a great way to find that book you wanted to read but never got to, to expand a library or get a boat load of books for the kids and family to read.

And then there is the prices – from 50 cents for paperbacks and most children to under $4 for coffee table art books and $5 for a bag of books on Sunday – that will bring people to the Belmont Public Library.

The proceeds will be used by the Friends to purchase museum tickets, brings authors and musicians to the library and supports the staff.

The book sale starts today, Friday, Oct. 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. which is  open to the Friends' Super Friends and benefactors only which anyone can join at the library at the event. The public is welcome on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The sales will be held in the library's Flett and Assembly rooms on the ground level.