After a two year layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Friends of the Lee County Library will host its annual book sale beginning on Thursday and running through Saturday.

Friends of the Library member Susan Laudate said books – possibly more books than ever, due to a number of factors – will be available at bargain prices: $2 for hardbacks, $1 for two paperbacks, and $1 for three children’s books. DVDs and other items will be available as well. All proceeds go back to programming sponsored by the library.

“About 10 years ago we figured out that the money we raised by the library through book sales went back into the county’s big budget,” she said. “But as a (nonprofit organization), we can ensure that all of the money we raise goes directly back into the library.”

The sale will be held at the Lee County Library facility at 107 Hawkins Avenue. On Thursday, members of the Friends of the Library group will have access ahead of the general public from 5 to 8 p.m. (memberships can be purchased on site for $5 for an individual and $10 for a family membership).

The sale will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. On Saturday, shoppers will be able to fill up a bag with books for $5, and any teacher with a school ID can take as many books as they’d like for free.

“We’re trying to clear out some stock so we can get more books in,” Laudate said. “This year is a little unusual, so we really have a wide variety of things.”