A novel idea: Friends wrap up book sale

Kory Prince is a big fan of Mexican CDs. Joyce Provost likes romance novels and books on wine. And Sylvia Madajewski enjoys reference books.

Like hundreds of others Saturday, they all left the Iberia Parish Library annual book sale at the Cyr-Gates Community Center in City Park with smiling faces and a box full of goodies.

The book sale kicked off Friday night as usual with a special sneak peak for Friends of the Library.

Book lovers came out by the droves on Saturday, combing through thousands of selections spread out on folding tables in the Cyr-Gates Community Center. Many customers needed water boxes to hold their stacks of purchases. Novels went for a little as 25 cents. Vinyl records and first editions were also for the taking.

“I’m one of those lifetime learners,” Madajewski said after checking out. “I keep trying to find things on the computer, but as we know, computers are about as dependable as our other electricity.”

She racked up Saturday, adding eight reference books to her collection for just $4. The loot included a new thesaurus and an anatomy coloring book she got for 50 cents �” it was marked down from $13.95.

“We come every year and donate them back when we’re done,” she said.

Nancy Delcambre is also a regular at the book sale.

This year she came across a Louisiana cook book she plans to put to good use. “I also bought a pregnancy book to give to a friend of mine who’s having a baby,” she said.

Provost, the romance novel fan, said she usually works as one of the several volunteers the library depends on the work the event. “Not this year,” she said. “This year I can just come out and enjoy myself.”

The book sale continues today from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.