Local bookworms will be in heaven if they stop by the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library next week.

The Friends of the Library group are preparing for their annual Spring Used Book Sale, scheduled to take place April 19-21 at the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Center.

Alta Barwick, Friends member and book sale committee chair, said the sale will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20-21 while the early bird sale will take place that Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

“This year, we have an enormous amount of books,” Barwick said. “Our shed is full and there are still some here at the library. It’ll be difficult to get everything set up.”

Roughly a decade ago, the group decided to expand the event to twice a year to accommodate the support from the community.

“It was going strong before then,” Barwick said. “We started about 10 years ago doing it twice a year. It just seemed like the thing to do. Every penny we get from the sale goes directly back to the library and covers costs of additional items the library may need.”

While the opportunities are endless for individuals to purchase low-priced books, the group is also looking for volunteers to prepare for the event. Barwick, Reva Box, Dean Shultz and Ken Doak serve on the committee and assist with the project along with a work crew provided from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is absolutely necessary and wonderful,” she said about the crew. “We couldn’t do it without them and we love them to death. Without them, there wouldn’t be a book sale.”

Due to the amount of books, any individual wanting to assist with setting up for the event can meet at the recreation center either on Thursday to set up around 9 a.m. or at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22, to pack up any leftover books.

“We can use as much help as we can get for display and packing,” Barwick said. “(Individuals) can also sign up for a shift during sale hours. We would greatly appreciate any time you can give us.”

The Friends are also looking at expanding the membership of their group. Members work with the library to help with different projects like the book sale and other activities going on at the ECCPL.

Anyone interested can either stop by during the early bird sale or visit the public library. The cost to join is $10.