Find loads of great books for eager young minds at the Children and Teen used book sales in August!

The Reston Friends will hold their used book sales for Children/Educators and for Teens at the Reston Regional Library as follows:

            Thursday, Aug.21  – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

            Friday, Aug.22  – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

            Saturday, Aug. 23  – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            Sunday, Aug. 24  – 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Come early for the best selections.  Yes, the Friends do re-stock, for as long as supplies last.  Donations of gently used books for children and teens are always welcome, and so are energetic volunteers!

Payment is by cash or check.  Sorry, no scanners or electronic devices.  All proceeds go to benefit the Reston Regional Library and the Fairfax County Public Library system.  For more information, email restonfriendspr@gmail.com or call to leave a message at 703-829-5467.


The Friends of the Reston Regional Library
11925 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA  20190

Supervisor Packs It In

In support of our Semi-Annual Book Sale (going on now at Reston Regional Library), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins came to help pack books for customers Thursday afternoon. We are grateful for her attention and assistance!

The sale is going well considering the lure of absolutely beautiful weather that is drawing people outside rather than inside!  If you want more details, see this article in Reston Patch.

We are restocking constantly, so if you haven't made it over yet, it's NOT TOO LATE!

Hours of remaining book sale days:

TODAY (Friday)

10-5

SATURDAY (April 9)

10-4

SUNDAY

1-3:30

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Don't miss the HUGE Semi-Annual Book Sale NEXT WEEK at Reston Regional Library.  You will be amazed at what's offered for sale, and how nice the condition of the books we offer is, and how inexpensive they are.

If you want first crack at the neatly laid out tables, and particularly, the goodies in the Specials Room and on the Toplist, you need to be a member.  What?  Not a member?  You can take care of that by joining, using the button on the sidebar, or by purchasing a membership on Friends' Night, April 6.  The booksale will start at 5, but we will be there earlier so you can purchase or check-in.

Hours of Operation:

FRIENDS' NIGHT

WEDNESDAY,

APRIL 6

5-7:30pm

GENERAL PUBLIC

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

April 7-8

10am - 5pm

SATURDAY

April 9

10am - 4pm

SUNDAY

April 10

1pm - 3:30pm

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?

E-MAIL US

CALL US!  703-829-5467

Countdown to Sale

more days until the Semi-Annual Used Book Sale opens with

Friends' Night

Wednesday, Sept 22, 5-7:30pm

YOUR MISSION:  RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW

(CLICK ON THE SIDEBAR TO THE LEFT)

If you can't make it Friends Night, we'd still love for you

to join us as a member!

General Public Welcome

Thursday & Friday

10-5

Saturday

10-4

Sunday

1-3:30

SEE YOU SOON!

SPECIAL BLOG-READERS' TIP-

THERE ARE A TON OF TEEN AND UP COMICS

LOOKING FOR A HOME AVAILABLE FOR 

PURCHASE RIGHT ALL DAY

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

COME SEE THEM ASAP!

Treasures Galore

It is less than one week until our Huge Semi-Annual Used Book Sale starts. If you're a member (easy to do, just click on the sidebar to the left that says JOIN and follow the instructions), you'll have first night access to all of our books for sale. This is important in the Specials room, particularly. That is where our one-of-a-kind, unique, collectible, and rare books are. Once they're sold, they're gone.  So if you like unique, come Wednesday night at 5.  These are some of the books available that night.  And don't forget the TOPLIST, which lists more of these truly chance-in-a-lifetime books.

Just a reminder about the Specials Room:
1.  NO SCANNERS
2.  No backpacks, boxes, or bags
3.  All selections must be processed at the Specials Room and will wait for you at the cashier.
4.  Please be careful of the books and other people -- most are one-of-a-kind!
5.  Even though the books in the Specials Room are priced higher than the main room, the vast majority are still under $10.
6.  At our sale we accept cash or checks.

The books on this page appear to be part of the important
Dietrichstein Library in Europe. The aristocratic Dietrichstein
family of Austria and Moldovia were politicians, diplomats, army
leaders and clerics, powerful 1500-1800.

All three of these books appear to be bound in the same leather and style
as the famed collection that was auctioned in Switzerland in the 1930's,
and two bear the signature of one of the family members who was the
tutor to Napoleon Bonaparte's son, and a patron to Beethoven and Schubert.

This is history in your hands . . .these are available for viewing on Friends Night.

We'll look for you Wednesday, 22 September, at 5 at Reston Regional!

And NOTE:  Special items will be in the Display Case in the front entrance area as early as Monday!  Take a look as you stop by!

 

 

Missing Books?

Our Friends1 site has gone on a diet! Normally there are around 800 books percolating on the site, but today it is down to just over 200. The reason is simple - the book sale is coming! So those of you who would like to know the benefits of attending the book sale, here's another one. Many of the books you've been interested in at our Friends1 site will be on hand, at a lower price, at the Semi Annual Used Book Sale!

If you're interested in any that you saw up there before the reducing plan hit, let us know! We have highly trained experts who locate them in our Specials Room and who can turn your dismay into joy!  And don't forget to look at our toplist (link to the right on the sidebar).

We start set-up on Monday. If you're one of those volunteering for set-up, you'll have heard 

from Charly by now. If you haven't heard from her, but want to be in on the beginning, e-mail us immediately. You must be physically able and cheerfully willing to move books, tables, boxes, etc. in order to be helpful at this stage of things.

In the meantime, here's a book that IS available at Friends1, and a good book it is! In a few years, books like this may be difficult to find as the "greatest generation" fades away. Jump on this for your children and grandchildren. America's All-Time Favorite Songs is $13.

SPRING 2009 SEMI-A

NNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

photos by Darlene

/kw

BOOK SALE FAQ #5

Did anyone notice the FAQ's skipped a number? Oops...well, here it is.

What are you doing this time to make the sale more user-friendly?

We like to think our sale is always user-friendly, but we admit that the word has gotten out about what a great sale this is, so it is a bit crowded at times. To address that, we have a 3rd cashier station and we have people who count and total your purchase while you stand in line. We've made the tables more reader friendly by not stacking boxes underneath them, and by lining up the titles so they're easier for you to read. We've put new and safer shelving in the Specials Room, and we continue to recruit the friendliest and most helpful volunteers around. And, in order to give our patrons every opportunity to see every book, we'll continue our practice of constant restocking and we'll also practice the "Big Flip" sometime on Friday or Saturday.

This year we also have some great 'extras' for sale. Be sure to take a look at the Friends of Reston Regional Library logo items. We have beautiful dark green T-shirts, mouse pads (you'll

 never have to search for the blog address or e-mail address again), and lanyards for holding your name tag or security badge. Show your support for Reston Regional Library by picking up a few of these items!  Prices are:

FRRL T-Shirt:               $10 members/staff; $12 non-members

Mouse Pad:                     $4 members/staff; $5 non-members

Lanyards:                        $2 members/staff; $3 non-members

There is a way to get them free. Join the Friends of the Reston Regional Library at an increased giving level, and you can receive one or more of these items. The break-out is:

Good Friend ($50 level)         Lanyard

Best Friend ($100 level)        Lanyard and Mousepad

Special Friend ($250 level)   Lanyard, Mousepad and T-Shirt

If you joined or renewed at a level of $50 or above since January 1, 2009, we are going to try to catch you on Friends Night (April 23) to give you your premium when you check-in. However, if we miss you, please ask us about it!

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

/kw

The Cup Runneth Over!

As of yesterday, April 8, book donations are CLOSED. We are stuffed to the gills with great books, poised for the sale. We will be happy to take donations again beginning on May 7.

If you just have to get rid of your books, please contact one of the other libraries in the FCPL system. The contact information for the branches is here.

See you soon at the sale!

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

/kw

Home is Where the Books Are

Rose Tarlow is a noted interior designer. The Private House offers her design perspective and experience in a memoir fashion. Most reviewers on Amazon love this book, recognizing that it is not a 'how-to' manual, but an expression of Tarlow's style and creativity. This copy appears to never have been read, and is $34 at Friends1.

Reston is a unique place, full of lakes, streams, byways and paths that take one right into the heart of nature. It is often difficult to remember that we are less than 30 miles from the seat of government for the free world. Ducks, geese, deer, owls, coyotes, squirrels, beavers, raccoons, foxes and possums make Reston their home. The Nature of Reston captures the serenity of the interaction between Reston 

residents and the animals that flourish around us. It is $37, and appears unread. This is an excellent gift book for those who have out of town or out of country visitors who are, as most, charmed by the area they're visiting. Check it out at Friends1.

We hope that you'll bring your out of town guests to a truly unique experience the weekend of April 23 (Friends Night) - April 26. Sure, there are other book sales that weekend, but the Friends of the Reston Regional Library book sale is the largest, our volunteers are the friendliest, and in addition to constant restocking, we practice the 'big flip', making sure that every box is opened and the contents considered for restocking the tables. To get more bang for your book buck, spend the weekend with us!

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

/kw

BOOK SALE FAQ #1

What happens to any unsold books?

At the conclusion of the sale on Sunday afternoon (April 26), our amazing and hard working volunteers box all remaining books in the main sale floor and the hallway.

On Monday, April 27, pre-screened charitable organizations are invited to come and take a pre-requested number of boxes of books for their purposes. In the past, these groups have included those that provide books to medical patients, a Native American tribe in Virginia, and the library in India that was practically built by our book sale leftovers.

Because our up-front sorting standards are so high, the books that remain are also very good. They tend to be ones that we had duplicate copies of to begin with.  They are from both fiction and non-fiction categories, but there is no guarantee as to particular titles or genre.  Because we practice the "big flip", the sale patrons have had first choice.

If you are involved with a non-profit charity and would like to be on our list to receive books, please contact us ASAP.  The requirements are:

1) You MUST provide us a request on your organization letterhead, specifying your non-profit status.
2) You MUST pickup on Monday the 27th between 9:30am - 1pm
3) You MUST bring your own help for moving your boxes to your vehicle
4) You MUST be reliable as we have no place to store the books. If you say you're coming and you don't show, you will not be permitted to be on the list for a future sale.

You can e-mail us for more information.

NOTE: Tomorrow, April 8, donations close until after the sale. Get those books in today!

See you soon!

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

/kw

photos by Darlene

No Foolin' Around

This is not an April Fool's joke. It's true!

April means it is time to welcome Reston Regional Library's new Branch Manager, Andrew Pendergrass. Andrew comes to us from Vienna's Patrick Henry library where he was known for being innovative and fun! This is a step up in tempo going from a community library to a regional, but we are confident that Andrew will be a good fit for our Friends group, the staff and the patrons. Welcome! For more about him, check this link.

At this moment we also want to thank Ilze Long for her able handling of the transition period. As the Assistant Branch Manager for many years, Ilze tackles every situation that arises with grace and competence. We are glad she is staying to continue!

This is no April Fool's Joke either: There are only 23 days until we open the doors for the Semi-Annual Used Book Sale! 

• Get your last donations in (by April 8).
• Mark Your Calendars. 
• Make Your List! 
• Help us empty our storage areas and raise funds to enhance library programs!
  

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

We'll see you there!

/kw

A PEEK AT THE SALE

In an effort to bring you samples of the various genre we have available at our Semi-Annual Used Book Sale, we have an interesting assortment to highlight today. The Iraqi Dialect Dictionary, published by Defense Language Institute (DLI) is an artifact of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. More of a general vocabulary book, it was produced in order to meet the needs of military linguists and focuses on local dialect vocabulary. It is in excellent shape and shows only minor shelf-wear. It does not focus on military terminology so might be a good book for someone planning to help with the rebuilding of Iraq as a nation. It is currently for sale on Friends1 at $45.

The GenoType Diet by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, a self-described naturopathic physician, is another book proposing a way to improve your physical health and quality of life. The author divides people into 6 genetic types and prescribes for them.  The critics are mixed on this. If you're interested in this type of thing, for $13.50 at Friends1, you might find something that works for you and your loved ones. He has a website and a blog that can help you stay connected with his theories and diet.

Duke University fans can pick up something to read now that they don't have to watch the rest of the NCAA tournament. This book is a celebration of the 2001 season when Duke Basketball was the undisputed champion. This book comes with a sealed CD and appears not to have been used. It is hardcover and available on our Friends1 site for $95. Remember the good days.

If you are looking for foreign language assistance, self-help, or sports books, you can find all three catagories at the Friends of Reston Regional Library Semi-Annual Used book sale at the end of April. During the sale, all three of these categories are in the hall between the main library and the big meeting rooms.  We don't get as many donations of foreign language and sports so those categories get picked through very quickly. That tells you to get to the book sale the first night -- Friends Night -- on Thursday evening. Yes, you'll need to have a membership (which you can purchase or renew that night) but it will be worth it! And if you don't make it Thursday night -- we restock constantly, so although overall there won't be as many in sports or foreign language as (for example) mystery or self-help, what is there will be constantly renewed as we open boxes in the back.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have books you want to donate for the book sale, don't waste any time. We will close donations on April 8 and will not reopen them until May 6. We're just stuffed to the gills with great selections for our customers, so if you can't get them to us before April 8, please hold them until May or donate to a different library. We love your donations and we love our patrons!

Here's the scoop for April:

SPRING 2009 SEMI-ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE

FRIENDS NIGHT - THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 6-8:30 P.M.

GENERAL PUBLIC

Friday, April 24, 10-5; Saturday April 25, 10-4:30;

 Sunday April 26, 12-3:30

/kw

Weapons and Castles

From Amazon:  Wealthy Chicagoan George F. Harding Jr. could afford the expensive hobby of collecting art and used his keen eye for medieval and Renaissance armor and weapons to do just that. The Harding collection was eventually donated to the Art Institute of Chicago, and today it is that museum's most popular holding. This volume showcases those pieces in large and lavish photos and illustrations within a layout that is inviting and balanced. In his accompanying text, Karcheski, the curator of arms and armor at the Higgins Armory Museum, puts these examples and the general subject of medieval armor and weapons into context for the general reader. 

FRRL Price: $6

Again, from Amazon: You don't have to be an architectural historian to reap the multifarious rewards of this gorgeous volume.  This book's brilliant, clearly written text should appeal to classicists, abstract art admirers, and lovers of historical mysteries--hark, fans of The Name of the Rose--to suggest just a few of many possible audiences.

Already in its third printing in Germany, the lushly illustrated book offers Heinz Götze's reasoned arguments tying the design of the Castel Del Monte, the mysterious, singular, southern Italian fortress built under the revered leader Frederick II, to the Mediterranean culture of the Middle Ages and to the intricacies of Arab geometry circulating in North Africa at the time. Götze is steeped in his subject: he has led architectural digs at other sites to search for European antecedents for this extraordinary eight-sided star of an edifice (there are none), and he draws on a seemingly vast knowledge of the delicate geometries of celestial and terrestrial designs of the period that stretch from France to Syria. His impeccable scholarship seems to liberate him from the pedestrian prose of many such books (there are cheerily triumphal exclamation points scattered throughout this one).   

FRRL Price: $8

I apologize for using the Amazon descriptions this morning!  I don't have the books here to examine so I'm relying on the expertise of others.  I can tell you that our copies are in beautiful shape, appropriate for gifts.

You can contact us to purchase any book on this blog by e-mailing Restonfriendspr@gmail.com  Better yet, come to the Semi-Annual Used Book Sale beginning on Thursday evening (Friends night) at 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., September 25.  The rest of the sale hours:

Friday, September 26, 10-5

Saturday, September 27, 10-4:30

Sunday, September 28, noon-3:30

We have so many beautiful books for sale, all donated by our local community.  The hardbacks start at $1.50 and rack paperbacks begin at .50.  All proceeds of the book sale benefit Reston Regional Library and other Fairfax County Library Projects.  By supporting the sale you're practicing recycling, helping support your library, and going home with fabulous bargains!

/kw

Art and History

This first book, Africa Adorned, is by Angela Fisher. Published by Collins (London) in 1984, this hard cover book is signed by the author. The dust jacket shows slight wear, but the book is as unread. It is a very scarce book, this one signed by the author. $125

This second book is a history book. Australian Dreaming: 40,000 Years of Aboriginal History is published by Ure Smith. It is a hardover book, copyright 1991. The dust jacket shows slight shelf wear but the book is as unread. $16

As you can see, our sale has something for everyone's interest, everyone's price range. The books at the used book sale will start at $1.50 for hardback and .50c for rack paperbacks. The sale runs 26-28 September 2008. If you're a member, or you'd like to become a member that night, we invite you to attend Friends' Night on Thursday, 25 September from 6-8:30 p.m.

Books are donated by our patrons and community. We help each other perform the ultimate recycling! We can't wait to see what will pique your interest this fall.

/kw

Extremely Rare Kennedy Photo Ad

If you are a Kennedy collector, or know someone who is, this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. John F. Kennedy, while president, posed for an advertising photo to be used in Life Magazine. The ad appeared only in a regional run, not the national magazine.

The details: Life Magazine / vol. 51, no. 25 / issue dated Dec 22, 1961 / ad spread on behalf of “magazines” appears bound between numbered pages 158 and 159 / magazine cover shows wear / ad spread is clean, bright / scarce since the ad does not appear in the national edition

Please e-mail us at restonfriendspr@gmail.com if you are interested in viewing or purchasing the magazine.

All items featured on this blog have been donated by our wonderfully supportive local community. All proceeds from sales go to support Reston Regional Library and other Fairfax County library programs. All of the people that run the Friends of Reston Regional Library, including the booksale chair, are volunteers. We do this because we love to connect great donations with new owners -- and benefit the library to boot.

Please support us by visiting our Semi-Annual Used Book Sale, September 26-28. Friends night is on September 25 from 6-8:30 p.m. You may purchase or renew your membership at the door.

/kw

Rare and Interesting

These aren't the prettiest books, but they each have an attraction for just the right buyer.

The first is an advance readers copy of Redwall, the phenomenally popular childrens' book by Brian Jacques. Jacques originally wrote his stories to be performed on BBC radio so his descriptions and characterizations are masterful. There was even an animated movie/TV series made from Redwall that featured Martin the Warrior. This is an amazing copy, viewing and price upon request.

The second book, The Subtle Knife, is an uncorrected proof of this very popular tale. The second volume in "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman, the book encompasses danger, intrigue, magic, invisibility . . . again, please contact us for a viewing and price.

Remember, you can contact us about any of the books you see on our blog at restonfriendspr@gmail. Or you can wait until the sale. What you don't want to do is to miss the sale! These are just a taste of what is available Friday through Sunday, September 26-28. Of course, if you want first glance, especially of these jewels, join the Friends and attend Friends Preview Night on Thursday, September 25, 6-8:30 p.m. You can join that night.

/kw

Great Cheap Books!

If you're hungry for book bargains, start counting down! The Semi-Annual Used Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the Reston Regional Library is only 27 days away. Of course, that's if your Friends membership is current and you're coming on Thursday night. If it's not, or you don't have one, you can purchase or renew at the door that evening.

Here are the dates and times for the Book Sale. You DO NOT want to miss this. We restock all weekend so if you miss Thursday evening, it won't be all picked over by Friday afternoon!

Thursday, September 25 -- 6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, September 26 -- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, September 27 -- 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 28 -- noon - 3:30 p.m.

Prices range from .50 for rack paperbacks to $1.50 for hardbacks in like-new condition! Sure, there are some higher prices for exceptional or rare books, but overall these are FANTASTIC bargains.

Where do all these books come from? Donations, donations, donations! We have the most wonderful community of donors, many of whom practice the ultimate recycling! They buy cheap books, read them, and donate them for the next sale! What a very cool way to support the library programs and keep your house from getting overwhelmed with books!

See you SOON!

/kw

Great Gift for A Child!

This book, Princess Ruby and The Moonman, is signed by the author and in a perfect dust jacket. What a wonderful gift for a very special child. This book, and many other treasures, are available at our Amazon.com storefront. And in a little over 3 weeks, the Amazon books will be available locally at our Semi-Annual Used Book Sale. Be sure to renew your membership or set one up so you can have first look at Friends Night, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25. Members of the general public come in on Friday at 10 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

/k

An "A" list event

Don't miss this "A" list event at Reston Regional Library! On Thursday night, April 24, beginning at 6 p.m., all the best bibliophiles and books will be rubbing spines at 11925 Bowman Towne Dr. in Reston. So you want to be in that number? Step right up and purchase a membership on the spot Thursday evening and we'll invite you in to peruse the pickin's.

Some of our treasures are shown in the blog here. For those who can't get to the library Thursday evening, but who are still VERY special to us, come by Friday, 10-5, Saturday, 10-4:30, or Sunday, Noon - 3:30. We RESTOCK all weekend, so the chance of discovering a treasure on Sunday is just as good as on Thursday, Friday or Saturday!

Join us!

Winner of Final Drawing

The winner of our last pair of movie passes from Reston Town Center Multiplex Cinema is Natasha Merchant of Herndon. Thank you everyone for your participation! Everyone who entered but did not win received a coupon good for savings at the book sale.

Speaking of the book sale, the countdown is upon us! Set-up begins on Monday and by Thursday evening (April 24), when Friends' Night opens at 6, the tables will be loaded and cashiers will be standing by waiting to take your money. If you're not a member, or you've let your membership lapse, you can remedy that on Thursday evening! On Friday at 10 a.m. we'll open to the general public, as we will on Saturday at 10. On Sunday we'll open at noon.

Speaking of money, we do NOT take credit cards but we do take cash and checks. We'll have three cashiers set up most of the time and we'll be happy to help you turn your movie tickets from Reston Town Center Multiplex Cinema into savings on your purchases!

While at the sale, don't forget to look in the display case at the front doors -- it holds some nice gift books for sale...the kind you give to significant others and they think you paid full price at the retail store! If you decide to tell them where you got the book, they'll just think you're smart AND kind!

The book sale proceeds benefit Reston Library as well as other library programs throughout the county so come support your reading habit!

See you there!