AAUW State College Used Book Sale
The AAUW State College Used Book Sale, one of the largest used book sales in the country, is a popular community event held annually in the spring since 1962. During the sale, thousands of visitors converge on Penn State’s Snider Agricultural Arena to browse and purchase up to quarter of a million books and other materials. Special sale features include children’s books, collectibles, puzzles and games, a half-price day, and a “bag day” with further discounts.
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The AAUW State College USed Book Sale is May 13 – May 16, 2023.
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HOW THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE ARE USED
The Used Book Sale is the economic engine that enables us to fund our activities and operations. Our most recent sale grossed over $100,000 from over 4,000 boxes of used books. Proceeds fund grants to support projects of Centre County non-profits that align with AAUW’s mission and scholarships awarded to women adult learner undergraduate students residing in Centre County. The sale also supports national AAUW initiatives, STEM programs in Centre County, and branch programs.
ADMITTANCE POLICIES
Doors will open promptly at 9:00 a.m. each day. Penn State safety regulations state that the Snider Agricultural Arena has a maximum occupancy of 450 persons. Consequently, we will carefully monitor the number of people admitted to the floor. Once building capacity is reached, new shoppers will be admitted only as others exit the building.
Many shoppers arrive early the first day of the sale (Saturday) to be among the first to enter the Snider Agricultural Arena. Please note that Penn State policy does not permit individuals to stay outside overnight at the Snider Agricultural Arena. Those arriving as early as late Friday afternoon may place one box or container per person in the line with your name on the box.
Persons must be in line, one person per box/container, before 6:30 a.m., when numbers will be distributed by designated sale staff to determine order of entry into the arena. Numbers will be distributed until 8:45 a.m. Once you have received your number, you may go out to breakfast. Plan to return by 8:45 a.m., however, when the line for admission in strict numeric order will form.
This process is only in place for the first day of the sale. Sunday – Tuesday doors open at 9:00 a.m. Entry will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Admittance into the arena prior to 9:00 a.m. for any reason, including use of the bathroom, is at the prerogative of sale staff.
BETTER BOOKS (SPECIAL COLLECTIONS)
Please use the link below to access the list of Better Books that can be found at the AAUW 2022 Used Book Sale. These books can be found in the special collections room. Come to the Hospitality Table for more information during the sale.
BOOK DEALER INFORMATION
To comply with Penn State safety regulations which require full access to exits in the event of an emergency, the walkway around the sales floor must remain clear. Dealers are asked to use the upstairs mezzanine of the Snider Agricultural Arena to review and temporarily store their books. Cashiers will be available on the mezzanine for your purchases. Please note that there is not an elevator to the mezzanine.
SALE LAYOUT
The books and materials are categorized into over 30 topics and are arranged on tables and in special sections throughout the Snider Agricultural Arena. Volunteers are available at the entrance and throughout the arena to help you locate materials in your area of interest.
ACCESS FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES
Handicapped parking is available next to the main entrance. Please make sure your handicapped parking placard is displayed.
Access is through the Snider Agricultural Arena’s main door. Straight ahead is a small incline onto the book sale floor. The entire dirt floor of the arena is covered with a tarp that is fastened at all entry points. The distance between the tables follows federal guidelines for wheelchairs. Please be aware that because this is an agricultural arena, the dirt floor is not completely smooth. Also, the arena can get crowded during busy times. For additional questions, contact info@aauwstatecollege.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Send questions about the annual Used Book Sale to: info@aauwstatecollege.org
Book Workshop Address:
2197 High Tech Road
State College, PA 16803
We accept cash, checks, and credit cards all four days of the sale.
