NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— Surrounded by stacks of books, volunteers were busy setting up Thursday morning for the Friends of the Library's primary annual fundraiser in St. Elizabeth's Parish Hall.

"We have so many books; we have so many boxes," Friends President Bonnie Rennell said Thursday morning during the book sale setup.

The book sale is a major fundraiser for the Friends that allows them to support a variety of library programming. Rennell said it, along with their membership drive, is one of the Friends' two main fundraising events.

"This is important," she said. "Without this, we would not be able to do half of what we do."

There is no firm consensus on how long a book sale has been supporting the library.

"Way before my time. The Friends are 51 years old, but I don't know," Rennell said, before shouting, "Who knows when the book sale started here?"

There was no immediate answer over the shuffling of books and background mumbles, but a few stalwart Friends determined that at least 25 years sounded right. Members were fairly sure the sale was once held on the library's front lawn.

Over those 25 years, Rennell said, the book sale has become a well-oiled machine—the product of a highly organized system that usually starts in February. During that time, the Friends collect books and sort them in the church basement. Seven months later, it is showtime.

"We have it set up, a lot like this," Rennell said, pointing to the dozens of tables with books fanned out across them. "It is a new innovation. We put the signs on the tables with empty boxes, and we fill them. We collect for seven months, and then it takes us a few weeks to decide what goes to auction and what is special."

Prices are set quickly and casually; Rennell noted the Friends have been at it long enough to assign dollar values easily.

"People have been doing this a long time," she said. "Cookbooks are always $1. We don't even label them. I think fiction is all $2.

The event offers more than just books: visitors can also purchase CDs, DVDs, puzzles, games, and even baked goods.

Setup happens fast. While one might think the sale takes weeks to arrange, the Friends arrive the day before and are done in a matter of hours. Rennell explained that the books are already organized and ready to go before they even come upstairs.

Rennell added that the Friends receive plenty of help from city staff, library staff, and volunteers. Simple tasks, like carrying boxes of books up and down the stairs, are deeply appreciated.

She noted that year after year, donations continue to grow—often including recently published books. It is a surprising trend in a digital age where some new media is no longer even sold in physical format, she said.