CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Sophie Mueller, 4, had a bird's-eye view of the books available at the Friends of the Library of Hawaii's 60th Annual Booksale yesterday while her father, Andy Mueller, shopped. CLICK FOR LARGE

Annual book sale draws hundreds

HUNDREDS of people lined up outside McKinley High School cafeteria before 9 a.m. yesterday morning, with empty boxes and bags in hand, hoping to find some cheap reads.

Shoppers rummaged through books and didn't hesitate to push their way through the crowd.

Kapolei resident Cara Lee, a first-time book sale shopper, headed straight for the children's section.

"Books are so expensive, so it's good to get some cheap ones ... especially when (my daughter) just tears it up," Lee said as she unloaded several Berenstain Bears books at the checkout stand. "These are good for the car, the beach and the doctor's appointment."

The first to finish shopping was a couple from Mililani, who purchased more than 40 yearbooks within the first six minutes of opening. The couple went straight for the Hawaiiana section and grabbed every yearbook they could find. They collect yearbooks, they explained.

This is the 60th year for the Friends of the Library of Hawaii Booksale and it's become an institution for avid readers and bargain hunters.

About 200 to 300 volunteers restock the books every night. Books are sold for as low as 30 cents and can go up to more than $25 based on the quality of the book, if it's paperback or hard cover, and how rare it is. There are also magazines, DVDs, videos, CDs and vinyl records for sale, as well as homemade baked goods.

It wasn't uncommon for shoppers to make several trips to the car.

"I have to check out 'cause I can't carry any more," said Karen Sept, a third-year book sale shopper. "I'm looking for gardening books, local cookbooks and craft-type things."

According to volunteer and retired librarian Shirley Naito, the Hawaiiana, cookbook and children's sections are the most popular.

"They go out like hotcakes," Naito said of the cookbooks.

All the proceeds from the book sale will go to the Hawaii State Library and its programs, said Booksale Chairwoman Rosemary Chong. Friday evening alone, the Friends of the Library of Hawaii made nearly $27,000.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaii have 63 volunteers who are experts in the different book categories. The volunteers screen donated books and price them throughout the year.

More than 3,000 boxes of books with more than 200,000 titles are for sale this year.

According to Chong, there are usually 300 to 600 boxes of books left over after the sale.

"Last year, we sent (the surplus) to the Philippines, and this year we're giving it to Tonga," Chong said.