This coming weekend adventure, mystery, and romance await visitors to the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Center as the Friends of the Library host their semi-annual used book sale.

Each year, the Friends of the Library host two used book sales — one in the Spring and one in the Fall — to raise funds to help support the operations of the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library. The Friends group helps pay for programs or special projects not funded through the library’s allocations from the City of Elizabethton or Carter County.

“All of the money we make goes right back into the library,” said Friends of the Library member Robin Loessberg, one of the coordinators for the book sale.

Over the years, the Friends group has helped the library to complete renovations, purchase furniture, buy computers, and support programs for both children and adults.

The semi-annual used book sales feature around 10,000 books donated by the Friends group and community members for the event. With a wide variety of genres and reading levels, there is something for everyone at the sale.

The Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale will take place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Center located at 300 W. Mill St.

Those who are members of the Friends of Library group will get to take part in special preview shopping hours. Friends members can shop the sale on Thursday evening, October 19, from 6-8 p.m. Membership to the Friends of the Library group is only $10, and interested individuals can show up to the sale on Thursday evening and join to take part in the early sale.

During the used book sale paperbacks can be purchased for 50 cents each while hardbacks are available for $1 each, a price that hasn’t changed over the many years the Friends group has hosted the fundraiser sale.

The Friends of the Library are also still accepting donations for the sale this week.

Those wishing to donate books can take them to the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Books can also be dropped off on Wednesday at the Parks and Recreation Center on Mill Street while the sale is being set up or those donating books can bring them with them to the sale on any of the three days.