During the first week of September, the Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S. Market St., will be bustling with activity beyond its usual atmosphere. The Friends of the Elizabethtown Public Library will hold its Fall Book Sale from Tuesday, Sept. 2, through Saturday, Sept. 6, and a craft fair will be held on-site as well on Friday, Sept. 5, and on Saturday.

"Once a year, these two events take place at the same time, providing a fun and entertaining event for the community," said Friends member Terri Dorwart. "If you're not familiar with what the library has to offer, it's a great time to get acquainted with the many programs and activities available as well as find some great deals on books. Afterwards, folks can browse the vendor tables and then take a break to relax and enjoy a coffee in the library's cafe."

The book sale will begin with a special event on Sept. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. Admission to that event is free for Friends members or by a small fee for the general public. The sale will continue with free admission from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Thursday, Sept. 4; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6. Fill-a-bag sales will be held for one price on Friday and for a discounted price on Saturday.

"If you enjoy reading and are looking for a great deal, this is the place for you," Dorwart said. "We will have over 10,000 books on sale this fall. It's a great selection of adult fiction; nonfiction; history; biography; cookbooks; craft, hobby and art books; and a wonderful selection of children's paperback and hardback books. We also have some vintage materials generously donated by the community."

She noted that books by popular authors, including James Patterson, John Grisham, Elin Hilderbrand and Jodi Picoult, will be among the selections, and CDs and DVDs will also be for sale.

"If you are looking for a popular author, to build or complete a collection or just want first choice, the Preview Day is for you," she said.

She said that many people who attend the book sale are not aware that the Friends operate a bookstore on the main level of the library, open year-round the same hours as the library.

"The bookstore and book sale exist through generous donations from our community and as a result of hours of service by dedicated volunteers, who sort through all donations, stock the bookstore shelves and work in the bookstore and at the sale," Dorwart said.

The Craft Fair will run on the main floor of the library from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 5 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6.

"The official name is 'Elizabethtown Public Library Craft Fair with a Small Business Flair,'" said Dorinda Nolan, who helps to organize the event with Suzanne Hetrick. "We encourage handcrafters and small business owners to participate in the fair. There will be over 20 vendors at the craft fair. More than half of the vendors have participated for several years."

Participants will sell handmade jewelry, handcrafted cards, acrylic-coated glass vases, crocheted and knitted items, hair scrunchies and accessories, hand-poured resin items, doll clothes for all sizes of American Girl dolls, body care products, handmade kitchen items, dog scarves, suncatchers, chocolate bombs and more.

"One vendor makes unique magnets and plant stickers from recycled beverage cans. The magnets are shaped like butterflies, flamingos, snowmen, etc.," Nolan said. "The Fiber Artists, a group of crafters that meet weekly at the library to work on craft projects, will have a table selling items that the members have donated. All proceeds from this table are donated to the library."

Nolan and Hetrick encourage people to come to the book sale and also visit the craft fair.

"Shoppers will find unique items for themselves as well as gifts for friends and family," Nolan commented. "They will also be supporting small local businesses. We like to encourage shoppers to visit all of the vendors at the fair.  So, we ask each vendor to provide a prize that they display at their table and a (giveaway) jar."

Shoppers will receive a booklet describing the vendors as well as two giveaway tickets.

"The shopper can drop their ticket with their contact info into the jar next to the vendor prize that they are interested in winning," Nolan said. "If they buy an item from a craft vendor, they receive additional tickets for more chances to win vendor prizes."

Entrance to the library is from the back of the building, accessible from Peach Alley, where a free parking lot is available. Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes. To learn more about the library, visit https://etownpubliclibrary.org. To volunteer, stop by the bookstore or email EtownBooks@hotmail.com.