With thousands of books for sale, the Friends of Kreutz Creek Library book sale is the perfect place to find your next read. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. It will take place in the garage bays of the Hellam Township public works department, 45 Walnut Springs Road, York.

"The Friends of Kreutz Creek Library sale is a huge, well-organized event with books displayed on 75 tables," said Brent Peterman, Friends president. "We will start Friday morning with over 22,000 books. Volunteers will keep organizing the tables throughout the sale Friday and Saturday. It's amazing to see the diversity of books, including books that are out of print and not available in retail bookstores today. Book admirers are a great group of people, and it's fun to shop and see what other folks are searching for."

He noted that books will range from recently released fiction to classic stories and more.

"We divide adult fiction into format types like hardcover, paperback and large print," Peterman shared. "We divide out large sections of romance fiction, inspirational fiction - Amish, Christian, etc. - and sci-fi and fantasy."

In the children's section, books are divided into categories such as board books, storybooks, junior chapter books and young adult novels.

"Nonfiction is separated into over 10 topics that allow shoppers to browse their areas of interest," Peterman remarked. "Some of the favorite topics include biography/memoirs, arts, history and politics, nature, hobbies and sports. It's fun to find entire books on unusual subjects like Japanese watercolor techniques or the birds of Malaysia."

And while it's technically a book sale, the event will feature opportunities to purchase other items as well.

"There will be tables of baked goods full of treats including cookies, brownies, loafs, jam and cakes," Peterman said. "The tables will be well stocked through the two days so shoppers can also snag some delicious treats for the weekend."

A wide variety of movie DVDs, music CDs and puzzles will also be for sale.

"There are more puzzles than usual available at this sale," Peterman said. "Over 500 puzzle boxes will be displayed by piece count. There will be offerings from less than 100 pieces to over 1,000 pieces for puzzlers of all skills and levels of patience."

New this year, the sale will also include a wide variety of plants for purchase.

"Most are perennials ready for spring planting in your garden," he shared.

On Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., shoppers will be able to fill a bag of books for one low price, and special pricing will be available on puzzles.

"Customers that bring their own bags are appreciated, but we will have bags as well," Peterman commented. "We'd like to thank Susquehanna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Wrightsville for donating shopping bags for the sale. Our shoppers can quickly collect more books than they can carry. The bags are a great help."

Proceeds from the sale support operations of the Kreutz Creek Library.

"The Friends group funds 23% of the library's operating budget through our fundraisers and donations," Peterman explained. "We also support programs and resource purchases above and beyond the operating budget."

The group is always seeking new members.

"There are lots of ways to participate by volunteering to help with our fundraisers, participating in monthly planning meetings, sorting books for the sales or advocating for the library with local groups and businesses," he said. "Anyone interested in learning more about the Friends group or volunteer opportunities can email us at Friends.KCL@gmail.com."

Peterman added that when the sale opens, early birds can expect a crowd.

"We usually have a line of over 100 customers Friday at 9 a.m., ready to get in and start shopping," he said. "But there is plenty of space and books for everyone to spread out."

He encouraged people to show their support for the library by attending the sale.

"Supporting your community library is about much more than loaning library books," he said. "Kreutz Creek Library transforms and enriches individual lives by supplying information, providing recreation, promoting literacy, encouraging lifelong learning and serving as the hub of our community."

The library accepts book donations year-round, with specific donation dates listed in the library's newsletter and on social media. Peterman noted that the Friends will also arrange an appointment for anyone not able to bring books during the donation days.