By Elissa Andre

It’s no secret that a visit to Johnson County Library branches is a great way to beat the summer heat, but if you’re looking for new summer reading material that doesn’t have a due date, mark your calendar for the Friends of Johnson County Library Pop-up Book Sales.

Pop-up Book Sales occur the second Saturday of each month at the Friends headquarters, 8279 Melrose Dr. Overland Park.

If you can’t find what you want at a pop-up sale, the Friends bookstores at Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Merriam, and Blue Valley Library, 9000 West 151st St., Overland Park, are also open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Friends sell used books so the Library can buy new ones— the funds raised from your purchases support library collection development, Summer Reading, Incarcerated Services, staff education and much more.

Buying books isn’t the only way to support the Library and the Friends!

Gather your gently used books, DVDs, CDs and more and bring them to the Friends headquarters on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon where volunteers are available to help unload your donations.

You can arrange a donation time outside of the drop-off events by calling 913-492-4791. Donations are accepted year-round. You can also email the Friends at book@friendsofjcl.org with your donation drop off questions.

Yes, please:

• Gently-used adult and kids’ books of all types
• Cookbooks? Yes, those are books!
• Textbooks? Absolutely. We love textbooks.
• Repair manuals? Yep – if it’s a book, we take it.
• DVDs
• Music CDs
• Audiobooks on CD
• LPs
• Complete puzzles

No, thank you:

• Books that are musty, moldy, soiled, liquid-damaged, broken, etc.
• Magazines
• Board games
• Encyclopedia sets over 10-years-old
• VHS and music cassettes

Friends of Johnson County Library is a member-supported nonprofit organization promoting community awareness and participation in library services. Consider joining the Friends by becoming a member and receive 20% your bookstore purchases. Friends membership also makes a great gift!

The Friends serve as library advocates, raise supplemental funds, and promote literacy and lifelong learning. Learn more at https://www.joinjclfriends.org/.

Elissa Andre is external communication manager for Johnson County Library.