La Sierra’s library rolls out 3,000 books in annual spring sale

The La Sierra University Library’s annual spring book sale kicked off March 30 with approximately 3,000 selections to choose from, offering hard covers for $3, paperbacks for $1, smaller pocket paperbacks for ¢25, and book sets ranging from $25 to $100. Stacks of National Geographic magazines are available for free, and CDs and videotape sets are $1 per package. The sale, held in the library’s Lincoln Room, lasts all of spring quarter, concluding June 7.

The wide range of book sets available as of March 31 included C.S. Lewis’ seven-volume “The Chronicles of Narnia” for $25, the 12-volume Woman’s Day Encyclopedia of Cookery for $45, the three-volume Index to the Writings of E.G. White for $30, and a four-volume set of “Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers” for $50.

Library Director Kitty Simmons said she often researches the going rates for used books when determining sale prices.

The library sells books that are donated by community members and by university faculty and staff, as well as older library books and books that need to be discarded due to duplication or publishing of newer editions. In one instance, family members of a deceased relative gave 75 packing boxes full of the individual’s books to the library, many of them religious in nature, said Simmons. Library staff are going through the books to determine which the library will keep. Other donors show up at the library throughout the year with bags and boxes of books they no longer want, she said. 

Proceeds from the annual book sales help pay for special library projects such as art pieces for the walls, patio furniture, an atrium fountain and other items. With last year’s sale funds, the library purchased two Herman Miller upholstered chairs and a side table which were placed in the library’s lobby.

Last year’s sale was the largest in the library’s history with roughly 4,000 books offered. The sale resulted in $1,700 for the library, and 1,388 books donated to BetterWorldBooks.com which supports worldwide literacy programs. Another 252 books were given to the community services program at the La Sierra University Church.

Book sale shoppers will take home their purchases in eco-friendly bags provided by the library. The book sale is open during library operating hours of 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. Mon. – Thurs., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fri., and 1 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sun. For further information call 951-785-2515 or 951-785-2044. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway. The library is located off of Middle Campus Drive. A map is available at lasierra.edu/campus-map/.