Alameda Used Book Sale
Quality used books, CDs and DVDs at great prices!
Upcoming Alameda Used Book Sale: Oct 14-17, 2026
- 10/14 (Wed): 1 to 7 pm (Open to all; $5 per bag for educators)
- 10/15 - 10/17 (Thu - Sat): 10 AM - 4 PM
Stafford Room
Alameda Free Library Main Branch
1550 Oak Street, Alameda, CA
The popular Alameda Used Book Sale happens three times a year: spring, summer, and fall. Exact dates are announced in the monthly email newsletter and on this page. Come check out hundreds of used books in all genres including children's books, fiction, memoir, cookbooks and more, plus DVDs, CDs, and archival-quality magazines. Right across the way is the FAL used bookshop, Books For Friends, which is always open during the Book Sales, and of course, Books & Bites Cafe, where you can enjoy a treat while looking through your purchases.
No charge for entry.
Cash, checks and credit cards accepted
Save the Dates!
2027 Upcoming Alameda Used Book Sale Dates
- Wednesday, May 12 - Sunday, May 16, 2027
- Wednesday, October 20 - Sunday, October 24, 2027
Volunteers are needed for the sale!
Sign-up here
Our sales depend on generous donors like you. Learn more about how to donate.
History
The Alameda Used Book Sale benefiting the Alameda Free Library was started by Gert and Pete Woods and Adair Jorgensen. The donation room was in the basement of the Carnegie Library (added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1982) and the twice-yearly sale was held at Wood Middle School for many years, moving to the O’Club on the naval base as the sale outgrew Wood School. When the new Main Library building was built in 2006, a separate space was provided to the dedicated volunteers who are able to accept donations through the entrance on Times Way.
There have always been two primary goals of the Alameda Used Book Sale: To support Alameda Free Library programs monetarily and to provide affordable books to the people of Alameda, along with providing residents the opportunity to pass on their books to new readers.
Our semi-annual book sales are extremely popular, drawing hundreds of attendees to each event, many of whom say it’s always their favorite time of the year! For many years the Alameda Fire department helped us move close to 900+ book boxes, and US Coast Guard members have also volunteer to help with the heavy lifting. Not only do shoppers count on the sale, so do the volunteers who look forward to working (and shopping) the sale year after year. Teachers from all over the Bay Area also benefit from the special $5 bag deal just for educators.
The key to the whole operation is the devoted volunteer team who work tirelessly in the donation room all year round sorting, categorizing, pricing and boxing books for the sales. Many of our volunteers are senior citizens that have worked on these sales since the beginning. We have seen their children and grandchildren continue the tradition. Our team is enthusiastic, committed and we love books!