Palo Alto's libraries will be closed on Monday February 16 in observance of President's Day.  Even when the libraries are closed, you can still search the online catalog, submit reference desk questions, access many online resources, and get book recommendations.

Non-profit organizations and schools that need FREE books should come to the Bargain Room this month from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, February 15.  Please bring your own grocery bags to put books into.  More information.

What's Cooking At The February Sale

January was a banner month for donations. All three of our rooms are filled to capacity with thousands of great books and we have one of the biggest inventories for any sale in recent memory. Among the highlights: we received a gigantic donation of cookbooks this month in every conceivable category. This is one of the largest cookbook collections we have ever seen. Many of them are still in like new condition and there is something for every taste. For those who enjoy working on automobiles, we have an extensive selection of Marshall and Chilton Auto Service Manuals (mostly 2002 and earlier) at a fraction of their original price. These are the same service reference manuals used by automotive service professionals. How about a nice game of Chess? We have several dozen fine books on the game of Chess and Chess strategy. Meanwhile, it's almost Spring so it is time to get those gardens back in shape. Check out our Gardening section where you can find out how to grow beautiful plants and rid your garden of those pesky little critters!

 
Preview Our Shelves

Check out some of the tens of thousands of books that will be on sale this weekend using our shelf preview pictures.

With donations coming in at record numbers our three selling rooms fill up quickly. The Friends expanded to a new sales area outside of the entrance to Marty's (Main) Room on an experimental basis. All items offered in this area are only $1.00 each and we have a great selection of books, movies, music and games. There are great bargains to be had. Popular items here have been hardback novels, cooking, science, military, reference (get a nice old dictionary for only $1.00!), travel guides, and VHS movies. This part of the sale opens at 9am under the big green tents, so long as it doesn't rain!

We've also expanded our Sunday hours to 11am-4pm in all rooms on a permanent basis.

 
Big Selection of Books in Foreign Languages

We still have extensive selections of books written in Chinese and Japanese. There is something for every taste from romance novels to biographies to computer programming books. There are hundreds of graphic novels (manga) in both languages. Prices start at only 50 cents with many being offered at 3 books for $1.00. We also have an extensive selection of books in other languages including French, Spanish, Russian and German. Just this week we received a large collection of books in Armenian.

 
February is Black History Month

February is Black History month, all the more significant as Barack Obama takes office as the first Chief Executive of African ancestry. The Children's Room has a nice selection of books pertaining to black history geared towards younger readers, and you'll find a larger than usual selection of books on Black History in a subsection of the Non-Fiction section in the Main Room.

 
Get A Great Deal on Collapse by Jared Diamond

A company donated to us several dozen hardcover copies of the 2004 bestseller Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond. The author won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Guns, Germs, and Steel published in 1997. Collapse deals with "societal collapses involving an environmental component, and in some cases also contributions of climate change, hostile neighbors, and trade partners, plus questions of societal responses". The massive book carries a retail price of $29.99; Amazon sells it for $19.77 but you can pick up a copy at the sale this weekend for only $2.00! You'll find copies in several sections, including Sociology, History, Business, and near the checkout stations.

By shopping at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and Amazon.com, a percentage of your purchase price can help the Palo Alto Libraries at no cost to you.  At Kepler's, just mention to the cashier that you want to support the Friends of the Palo Alto Library.  For Amazon.com, always start your shopping session by clicking here or on the Amazon link on the top right of any of our web pages at www.friendspaloaltolib.org.  Virtually all purchases you make at Amazon are eligible, not just books.  Over the years, we've raised thousands of dollars to help our libraries through these programs.

 
Sunday Mystery 50% Off Sale

On Sunday February 15 there will be a 50% off sale on one category of books in the Main Room. The category will not be announced ahead of time, the only way you can find out which category is on sale is by attending the sale on Sunday. Signs will be posted on the doors and on the shelves of the section involved on the morning of the Sale. This applies to the Main Room only. Doors open at 11am.

 
Lost And Found - Looking for "T.R."

At the December sale one shopper behind left 4 bags of books in the Bargain Room. The only identification on the bags are the initials T.R. If you are the owner of these bags please leave a message with your phone number and/or email at (650) 213-8755 and we'll try to reunite you with your books.