Palo Alto libraries will be closed Friday and Saturday July 3-4 for the Independence Day Holiday.

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, June 14.  Please bring your own grocery bags to put books into.  More information.

June Sale Highlights

The level of donations was down in May, as has been the case now for several years for the same time period. However, the end of school year and great weather seems to have sparked a rash of spring cleaning as we've been getting donations (literally) by the truckload! Of note this month were two enormous donations of Music CDs which we will have to spread over two sales. Featured this month on the "Specials" table near the front is a great selection of classical music CDs. Right behind that you'll find a few dozen of our better LP records, and to top it off a wonderful little selection of Beatles music and memorabilia...In Science Fiction look for a nice selection of classic hardback titles to go along with a larger-than-normal selection of other books...Computers is jammed with a wide variety of titles to suit just about every need whether it be programming, Internet, security, hardware, or networking...As always, good stuff abounds in the Science and Math section, be sure to check the table for the latest arrivals...Games and Puzzles has moved to a new home in the SE corner near the exit door. There you will find the biggest selection of jigsaw puzzles we have had in many months...Our History section manager reports receiving many more books than usual including an interesting selection of books related to Norwegian Americans...Movies/TV got in some nice pictorial books in wonderful condition...June being a hot month for weddings, there is a nice assortment of volumes on the subject in Home & Crafts. Those seeking some pre-marital advice might be wise to peruse the Psychology section to find some excellent books on relationships as well as men's and women's issues...the Featured case just inside the entry door has a small but interesting collection of vintage children's books...Collectors of Boy and Girl Scout memorabilia will find some vintage publications most priced at $1 on the shelves between Fiction and Law...Classic Literature never goes out of style and we've got some great titles and beautiful volumes offered in that section.

Be sure to peruse the $1.00 Sale tables under the tents outside the Main Entrance where every book, CD, video tape, game, and puzzle is priced at only $1.00! This section opens up at 9am on Saturday.

 
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.

Due to the increasing reuse of grocery and other bags, we tend to run short at our sales and encourage you to bring your own cloth tote or paper bags to the sale. If you have any extra grocery bags in good condition please bring them for your purchases at the sale. We would also gladly accept any extra bags you wish to donate. NO BOXES are allowed in the sale, however.

The March Sale marked the debut of our "exceptional books" showcase. We've restocked it with a new group of great books. The books in this case are offered to our regular customers for one month before they are listed online. The prices at the sale are significantly BELOW what they will be offered for sale online. On Saturday there will be a sign up sheet on the case for priority access. Due to the crowds in the room in the early part of the sale, no books will be sold from the cabinet until 1pm. On Sunday, access to the cabinet will be any time during the hours of the sale. See any FOPAL volunteer to unlock the case for you.

Click here to view the Exceptional Books inventory (HTML)

Click here to view the Exceptional Books inventory (PDF)

Movies & TV has moved to the NE corner next to the CD racks in the Music Section...Games and Puzzles, as mentioned above is now in the SE corner next to the exit door...Old Books can now be found with the old book sets in the Fiction aisle, and other can be found in the bookcase next to the Exceptional Books glass cases...Video has been expanded to the new shelves next to Humor and several nice sets can be found there...Home & Crafts has been expanded to the case next to Gardening...Additional Shakespeare titles can be found on the rolling cart next to Drama.

We received large collections of music CDs from two estates this month, together with the donations we normally receive. There is something for everyone, folk, jazz, rock, blues, doo-wop and everything in between. Of note is a huge selection of Classical CDs which you will find on the "Specials" table near the front of the room. We didn't have room for everything this month so we split it up and will offer the rest next month.

 
Sunday! Sunday! Mystery 50% Off Sale; Free Books for Sunday Shoppers

On Sunday June 14 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. In addition, we will have a small selection of FREE books available to shoppers on Sunday. One free book per person, and you must purchase at least one item from the Sale. There are a limited number of free books and first-come, first-served. This applies to the Main Room only. Doors open at 11 am.

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.