New publications in the publishing world are numerous, but municipal libraries are not elastic. However, pruned books are not necessarily destined for the recycling bin, because libraries in most regions of Quebec organize used book sales. The perfect opportunity to get your hands on nuggets of all kinds, at very low prices.
From Longueuil to La Malbaie via Saint-Eustache and La Macaza, this type of book fair takes place at different frequencies. In the Montreal library network, it is several times per calendar change. In Laval, it’s once a year. At the Grande Bibliothèque, there is a large library and small ones, divided by literary genres. In Alma, there is even a permanent display in the establishment. It’s best to monitor library and municipal websites or ask for information at your local library counter.
Let’s ask the question that burns your fingertips – those who frantically turn the pages of a thriller. How much do the books cost? A pittance, but prices vary, as do billing methods. For places where books are sold individually, it generally costs $1 to $3, sometimes less. At the Grande Bibliothèque, the Petits Marchés des Amis de BAnQ sell the books for $2 each, “or 10 for $10, and then we give a cloth bag,” explains Gabrielle Beaudoin, president of the Friends of BAnQ. It has to go! No need to be a library member.
There is another approach, almost playful: the price per kilo. This is the case at the Gatineau Library’s Great Used Book Sale — the next one will be held on June 8 and 9. The checkouts are equipped with a scale and you weigh your purchases like you do with your bananas at the grocery store. It will cost $3.50 per kilo of books, regardless of the type. Should we avoid dictionaries and opt for short novels? “In any case, bound books are heavier, […] It’s part of people’s strategy! » laughs Kayleigh Felice, section head at the Arts, Culture and Letters Department of the City of Gatineau.
And in almost all cases, profits help finance establishment activities, such as story times or showcasing collections. Elsewhere, such as Drummondville and Prévost, the amounts collected go to community organizations.
Arrive early, yes and no
For lovers of popular books, such as comics, or rare books – if you want a few volumes from the La Pléiade collection for your video conference setting! —, it may be wise to arrive early. But most organizers add new books during the sale, which equalizes everyone’s chances of finding a little gem at a low price. “No matter when people arrive, there is always something interesting to look at at the tables,” summarizes Kayleigh Felice, who still suggests that those who don’t like the crowds should let the first group of book-readers pass by.
In general, the organizers carry out a preliminary sorting of the books to be sold, to ensure that the material is in good condition and not too dilapidated. The novel is king, but you can find children’s books, essays, reference books, encyclopedias, etc.
In Gatineau, we only put on the tables what sells well. No magazines or newspapers, but there are CDs and DVDs. Each organization does its own thing, even when promoting events.
Final tips: Carry a bag in case you get carried away and check what payment methods are accepted. A quick trip to the counter for cash might be in order.
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