FREEHOLD — The Freehold branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host its annual used book sale June 22-25 with more than 20,000 books all in one place.
Most books will sell for between 50 cents and $1.50; children’s books will sell for between 25 cents to $1; and specialty books, such as coffee table books or books more than 50 years old will be priced a bit higher.
The AAUWbook sale will take place at the First United Methodist Church, 91 W. Main St., Freehold. The church is air conditioned.
Books will run the gamut from fiction, biography, history and travel to religion, psychology, sociology, information technology, gardening and more. DVDs and CDs will also be available for browsing and purchase.
A special preview of the book sale will be held on June 22 from 1-8 p.m. Admission to the preview is $8.
Admission at all other times is free. The book sale will continue on June 23-24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on June 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
AAUW member Deirdre McNamara said the book sale is the organization’s only major fundraiser of the year. She said members begin collecting used books in October and continue until June, storing, sorting and cataloguing each book in order to be ready in time for the sale.
McNamara, who has been a member of the AAUW for four years, said the organization encourages a love of reading among children and adults.
“We believe our sale will be a welcome event in town for people to browse, ponder and purchase with renewed excitement, books that have piqued their interest,” she said, adding that for 35 years the grandparents, parents and children of Freehold Borough and nearby towns have supported the branch’s annual book sale.
The book sale has been held in Freehold Borough since 1973, according to McNamara, who said theAAUW is the oldest national organization dedicated to the advancement of women. The organization advocates equity for women and girls through education and research.
The AAUW raises money for scholarships for women throughout the year. The book sale is one of the group’s fundraising projects. The Freehold AAUW presents annual awards to senior girls in the Freehold Regional High School District and to women who are returning to college.