Books, Books, Books – Cheap, Cheap, Cheap: TRL Clearance Book Sale March 16-18, 2017
Unlike the Toronto housing market, the Friends' Clearance Book Sale has a lot of stock and we are still very affordable. Come buy something and help support the Library.
Friends of Toronto Public Library, South Chapter
Clearance Book Sale
March 16-18, 2017
(cash only)
If you're at the Toronto Reference Library for the sale why not also:
- borrow from the 10,000+ documentary, how to, performance DVDs on the 5th floor
- borrow from the 30,000+ music scores for all instruments and in all genres on the 5th floor
- visit the Vice and Virtue Show in the TD Gallery on the main floor
- visit the Friends Bookstore on the main floor (regular prices)
56 thoughts on “Books, Books, Books – Cheap, Cheap, Cheap: TRL Clearance Book Sale March 16-18, 2017”
Hello you got books on anxiety
is it just books on sale?
There’s a wide variety of books – fiction and non fiction both – but it’s not possible to drill down to subject. Self help & psychology are popular areas though for donations – so I would suspect there may be something – but can’t guarantee.
No, not just books, magazines, sometimes music scores, not sure how much audio visual stuff (eg DVDs or games etc) at this sale as it’s a clearance sale. There is NO admission to the sale so … why not drop by – it’s very popular – people leave with loads of stuff.
Sorry one small addition – I checked the Library’s facebook page and they mention CDs and DVDs too are going to be for sale.
Are there children’s books available?
do you need a library card in order to buy books?
How about philosophy books?
will you have any kids books?
hi – no you don’t need a library card to buy books … but why not get one anyways!
free if you live work or go to school in toronto – 2 pieces of ID – name and address / name and signature – just takes a few minutes to make one – and a lifetime of joy will await you!
To paraphrase Sartre “Hell is other people’s books”.
There will be wide variety of subjects – can’t say definitely – but possibly yes.
Yes there will be children’s books.
yes there will be kid’s books (no goldfish though!)
Do we need a Toronto Public Library card to buy books in this sale?
I have some quite specific authors I’m looking for…are things going to be organized fiction/nonfiction/etc or dare I hope they’re by author? (OK, I know I’m pushing it)
Hello,
I was curious to if there would be any Advertising Award Annuals?
Thanks
Hi – no you don’t need a library card to buy books … but why not get one anyways!
A library card is free if you live,work or go to school in Toronto – you just need 2 pieces of ID – name and address / name and signature – just takes a few minutes to make one – and a lifetime of joy will await you!
Are your books going to be in any kind of organization? I might not go if they won’t be in categories. :/
Thanks,
Brittany
are they old library books or new/used books?
Can I donate books and DVDs during the sale?
Are we able to donate some books?
It’s a combination of withdrawn library materials – and also donations from the public of new/used books.
Yes for sure, we’re always game for donations – but you would drop them off at the Friends Book Store which is over near the TD Gallery – they have a big box / clear plastic lid with slot to drop things in.
Yes for sure, we’re always game for donations – but you would drop them off at the Friends Book Store which is over near the TD Gallery – they have a big box / clear plastic lid with slot to drop things in.
My recollection from previous years is there are broad categories – yes. But I’m off site today and will touch base with the Friends tomorrow to try and confirm. There is the power of serendipity however!
My recollection from previous years is that fiction is pulled out from non fiction – although I am not sure if fiction is then further subdivided by genre.
I don’t know about alphabetical author by author within fiction (or non fiction).
Sorry we can’t drill down to that level of detail.
Love, love,love these sales! I always find some treasures to add to the home library collection. Count me in!
Help do you have any type of text books?
Hi do you have nursing books on sale during these dates? Thanks
Will there be cooking books?
Hi. Do we need to bring our own (book) bags ??
So I spoke with the Friends today, and the non-fiction is arranged broadly by category/subject. Fiction is broken down into hardcover, trade paperback and pocket books, and also mysteries. Nothing is arranged alphabetically by author though.
No sorry there are NO nursing books at this sale.
Toronto Public Library does have nursing textbooks etc at many of it’s branches including reference copies at the Toronto Reference Library 3rd floor Business, Science and Technology Dept.
Here’s a quick sample search on Canadian Nursing:
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=37906&Ns=p_pub_date_sort&Nso=1&Ntt=canadian+nursing
The books are arranged broadly by subject -we believe there will be some cooking books (don’t forget to check out the Friends bookstore for regular priced books on cooking as well – it’s on the 1st floor near the TD Gallery)
That would be best – they will sell plastic bags for 5 cents or LCBO bags for 1.00 but you can bring your own. There are also some boxes for bigger / heavier loads.
No sorry NO textbooks at this sale.
Are the books organized by topic during the sale? IE) Fiction – Medical – etcetc or are the books just piled up randomly? I have books on particular subjects I am interested in looking for.
Wondering if these books will be sorted and if I’ll be able to search titles on a data base? Or if they will just be on a table with random books?
Folks! So what’s the deal with all these silly, repeated questions about searching, sorting, organizing the books that are for sale. Relax! The stuff is 10 to 50 cents!!! You go, you look, you find, you buy. Or not! Enjoy the experience.
I agree totally with Nathan! For that price, you are bound to find something to read/listen to/watch! Just go!
Yes the non fiction books are broadly arranged by subject. For fiction, mysteries are pulled out – but otherwise by hardcover, trade paperback and pocket book. Nothing is arranged by author though in fiction or non fiction.
You will NOT be able to search titles on a database.
There are many tables – a whole small auditorium full actually.
The non fiction books are broadly arranged by subject.
For fiction, mysteries are pulled out – but otherwise by hardcover, trade paperback and pocket book.
Nothing is arranged by author though in fiction or non fiction.
Another question: Are the books replenished ie. will there be new books everyday? Or will they be all displayed from Day 1, with maybe minor additions? I will consider coming on multiple days if it’s the former.
There will be new books each day – so yes they will replenish overnight.
Sorry for the oddly specific question, but with regards to DVDs, do you know if it will strictly be the remnants from the Holiday/Christmas sale back in November or have new movies been added since then? Thanks!
Scored some great books today!
I went early and it seems like many other people had the same idea.
Do you have French books and is there a lot or a little?
Me too!
I didn’t expect the long line but it was worth the wait.
Great sale! I picked up a few feet of books for the cottage.
Do you have these sales on a regular basis?
Yes, they have clearance sales about twice a year. But you should also check out the Friends’ book store Bookends at the Toronto Reference Library for other great deals (maybe not as cheap – but very nice quality and still VERY affordable)
Thank you for holding these sales. They’re a wonderful way to provide people like myself access to the pleasure of having and reading books. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Is that located close to where ur holding the book sale event?
Do you publish a catalog of books for sale online?
Hi, how long do you think I’ll have to wait in line if I show up the first day at 930a?
Hi Anne Kay,
This particular sale happened back in 2017! Check back for updates for upcoming sales.
This year’s sale is on Thursday, March 14th: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/book-sale/
We often find that people start to line up before we open, but depending on the weather we can’t say at this time how long the wait may be!
Amy