Crowds hit Wake County library's book sale

Raleigh, N.C. — This Saturday, it looked like Black Friday at a former Winn-Dixie supermarket in Raleigh.

Crowds lined up outside at 6 a.m., then rushed inside when doors opened at 10 a.m. for the latest sale – on books.

Fuquay-Varina parent Vanessa Fass said the Wake County Public Libraries' Annual Booksale is the one sale she never misses.

"Every November, we know it's coming," she said.

The sale offers approximately 300,000 books ranging in price from $1 to $4. The prices decrease next weekend, until hitting rock bottom at $5 a box and $2 a bag next Sunday.

Fass said those prices are perfect for the mother of two voracious readers.

"They get to replenish their supply, because they love reading," she said.

The books are in great condition. Some are pulled out of circulation, and others come straight from donations.

"If we already have what we can use (or) we already have copies of it, we put it into the sale for the public," said Mike Wasilick, assistant director of Wake County Libraries.

Plenty of bestsellers are up for grabs, as well as cookbooks, textbooks and books on history and religion. This year's sale also includes DVDs and books on tape.

Even a Santa Claus impersonator was shopping at the book sale Saturday, looking for books he can read to children.

"Oh, I love good storybooks about Christmas," he said. "Just found one with Mickey Mouse, and kids love Mickey Mouse, and so do I."

The sale, in the South Station Shopping Center, 1514 Garner Station Blvd., runs through this weekend, then resumes next Wednesday through Sunday.

The sale was so popular Saturday that sheriff's deputies had to limit the number of people allowed inside at one time due to fire-code capacity.

Last year, the sale brought in nearly $182,000. The money goes to the Wake County General Fund and helps to set the library system's budget for the next year.

"Do a little early Thanksgiving shopping. Maybe a little Thanksgiving shopping," invited Wasilick.