Used Book Sale Location & Hours
The 2025 Used Book Sale (Saturday, May 17-Tuesday, May 20) is located at Penn State’s Snider Agricultural Arena on East Park Avenue across from Beaver Stadium. Parking is available behind the building.
- DAILY SALE HOURS ARE 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M. except Tuesday when we close at 7 P.M.*
- MONDAY IS HALF-PRICE DAY.
- TUESDAY IS BAG DAY $10 for a bag of books – please bring your own reusable bag
- * The Special Collections Room is open Saturday through Monday from 9 a.m.. to 7 p.m.
Doors will open promptly at 9:00 a.m. each day. Penn State safety regulations state that the Ag 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.
Admittance into the arena prior to 9:00 a.m. for any reason, including use of the bathroom, is at the prerogative of the sales staff.
Opening Day – Saturday Many shoppers arrive early the first day of the sale to be among the first to enter the Snider Ag Area. Please note that Penn State policy does not permit individuals to stay outside overnight at the Snider Ag 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.
Shoppers must be in line, one shopper per box/container, by 6:30 am. At that time, numbers 1-600 will be distributed by sale staff to determine order of entry into the Arena. Anyone arriving after all the available numbers are passed out will have to line up AFTER the 600 shoppers with numbers. Shoppers who have a number may leave and return by 8:45 am (or earlier) when the line forms with #1-600 first, followed by first come, next served.
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.
Getting ready for the sale. We ask that shoppers bring their own bags. The best style bags to bring to the sale are reusable grocery bag style or other tote bags. Backpacks work well. As for carts, the HORIZONTAL style cart on the left below is NOT PERMITTED. It takes up too much space in the aisles and blocks other shoppers. The UPRIGHT SUITCASE on wheels is a perfect alternative to the horizontal cart and IS PERMITTED.
If you plan to shop on Saturday morning, come early and get a number.
Shoppers appreciate finding the books sorted into over 30 individual categories and priced individually.
Book Sale Code of Conduct
The generosity of our community donating books and hundreds of volunteer hours has made the book sale a cherished annual event. The sale attracts people purchasing books for themselves as well as those purchasing books for resale. Please treat shoppers and volunteers with respect and courtesy. Thank you.
Personal belongings must remain with shoppers, not prevent access to tables and aisles. No blocking tables from or preventing access to other shoppers with tarps or covers. In compliance with Penn State fire regulations, the area outside of the sales floor (the concourse)must be kept free of obstructions, with no sorting of books there. Please do not argue with the sales staff, who are all volunteers. Any disputes should be brought to the attention of the sale leadership for resolution.
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in being escorted from the premises and/or prohibition from future sales.