Year Round Book Sales

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Miami-Dade Public Library System implemented its Year-Round Book Sales initiative in November 2019. This initiative came to be at the request of several Library Branch Managers who were experiencing increased levels of book donations from the public and requested to set up mini “stores” or displays at their locations that would allow the public to purchase donated items at a nominal fee for fundraising purposes. We started with a pilot test at a single library location and found that in addition to accomplishing the original objectives of decreasing levels of donated books held in storage and raising additional outside funding for library programs and events, we also found that branch staff enjoyed selecting the books, and our patrons really enjoyed that they didn’t have to wait for the Annual Book Sale to buy donated books. Some of the other benefits of this program have been bringing the sales closer to where our residents live instead of solely at our Downtown Main Library, decreased logistical delivery pressure on our transportation staff, and increasing the life cycle of donated books as a “green” initiative. Since the launch of this initiative in November 2019, we have now expanded to 30 locations, with a goal of holding Year-Round Book Sales at all our 50 library locations.