Friends Of The St. Mary’s County Library Spring Book Sale Returns This Weekend

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library will host its annual Spring Book Sale April 24–26 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, bringing thousands of books and media items to the community while raising funds to support local library programs and services.

The three-day sale begins Friday, April 24, with a Members-Only Day from noon to 8 p.m., offering early access to the sale before it opens to the public. Organizers say the event draws readers, families and collectors from across Southern Maryland each year.

The sale features a wide selection of gently used books, including children’s titles, fiction, nonfiction and multimedia items, with proceeds supporting literacy programs and library initiatives throughout the county.

The sale opens to the public Saturday and Sunday, with a special bag sale on the final day.

What To Know Before You Go

Organizers say a little planning can go a long way for first-time attendees looking to make the most of the Spring Book Sale.

• Location: St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds
• Early Access Friday: Friends of the Library members receive first access from noon to 8 p.m. 
• Membership Cost: $15 for individuals or families, which includes early shopping privileges 
• Saturday: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Bag Sale Day Sunday: Open noon to 4 p.m., features a $10 fill-a-bag sale, with tote bags provided at each building 
• Pricing: Children’s building books .50 cents and up, mass paperbacks $1, trade paperbacks $2, hardcover $3, DVD’s and CD’s $1 each or 12 for $10, special pricing for boxed sets and other media
• What to Bring: Attendees are encouraged to bring bags, boxes or wagons, as many leave with more books than expected 
• Donation Drop-Off: Community members can donate books and media items year-round at the Friends sorting room, located at the back entrance of 23250 Hollywood Road in Leonardtown. The donation center is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Book Sale Chair Highlights Scale, Impact And Community Tradition

Danita Boonchaisri, 2026 Spring Book Sale chair and a member of the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library Board, described the annual event as the organization’s largest fundraiser and a cornerstone of community support for local library programs.

“Our spring book sale is by far our largest fundraiser of the year,” Boonchaisri said. “It spans three full days and fills five large warehouse buildings.”

Boonchaisri said the Friends group has now contributed more than $1 million to the St. Mary’s County Library system. Those funds support a wide range of services, including technology, digital resources, facility improvements and youth programming that extends beyond the library’s core budget.

“Since 1992, we’ve now donated more than $1 million to support programs and services at the library,” Boonchaisri said. “We typically give about $70,000 a year, and those funds go toward things like 3D printers, e-books, audiobooks, furniture and summer programs for children.”

The sale spans three days and will fill multiple buildings at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds with more than 100,000 donated items, ranging from books to media and games. According to Boonchaisri, the event is entirely volunteer-driven, requiring months of planning and thousands of hours of labor to collect, sort and organize donations from across the community.

“About 90% of what we sell is donated by the public — sometimes it’s just a few books, and sometimes it’s an entire collection,” Boonchaisri said. “It takes dozens of volunteers working thousands of hours all year long to collect, curate, organize and set up the sale.”

Boonchaisri also highlighted the broader role the event plays in promoting literacy and community engagement, noting that the funds raised help sustain programs for children, families and underserved populations, while reinforcing the library’s role as a vital community resource.

“Libraries are much more than books — they’re community centers where people go to learn, connect and access resources,” Boonchaisri said. “People understand that when they come to buy books, that money goes directly back to support the library.”

MedStar Health Volunteers Connect Community Health To Library Support

Staff from MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital volunteer each year to help prepare the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale, an effort Dr. Anne Banfield, chair of obstetrics and gynecology, said reflects the organization’s commitment to community engagement and preventative health.

“We want people to know that we are not only providing care to this community, but we are members of this community, and we want to give back,” Banfield said. “Our physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners and staff spend a half day each year helping set up the book sale.”

Banfield said staff from her practice volunteer each year to help set up the event at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, part of a biannual community service effort that also includes supporting local hospice initiatives. Now in its third year, the effort is designed to reinforce the organization’s presence not just as a healthcare provider, but as an active member of the community.

“There’s great data showing that giving back helps people feel a sense of accomplishment and connection to their community,” Banfield said. “Being out in the community shows that we’re here, we care, and we’re not just a healthcare system — we’re part of people’s lives.”

Banfield emphasized that supporting events like the book sale contributes to overall community well-being by strengthening connections, increasing access to resources and building trust between residents and healthcare providers.

“Anything that provides for the betterment of our community contributes to the well-being and health of our community,” Banfield said.

Library Perspective Highlights Impact Of Book Sale

Laura Boonchaisri, marketing and communications coordinator for St. Mary’s County Library, said proceeds from the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library Spring Book Sale play a critical role in supporting library programs, resources and community access across the county.

“The proceeds from the sale, which are donated to St. Mary’s County Library, go toward many different things including equipment like 3D printers, furniture to make our library locations more comfortable and clean, online resources and digital content such as e-books and digital audiobooks, and funding for programs and events,” Boonchaisri said.

Boonchaisri said the sale brings quality resources and books to families and homes, and that residents look forward to the sale each year.

“The sale is important for the community because it keeps wonderful, high-quality books in our community and in so many homes,” Boonchaisri said. “I love knowing that so many of our community members are readers and look forward to this sale each year.”

Supporting Literacy Through Community Giving And Engagement

The Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting library services and promoting literacy in the community. The group has raised more than $1 million to benefit St. Mary’s County Library programs, events and resources. 

Membership in the Friends organization includes early shopping privileges and newsletters about library initiatives. Membership runs January through December, with late-year renewals extending into the following year. 

The Spring Book Sale is one of the organization’s largest annual fundraising events and draws readers, families and collectors from across Southern Maryland.

Additional details, membership information and updates are available through the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library.

Fast Facts About The St. Mary’s County Library System

Residents can register for a St. Mary’s County Library card online or at any branch.

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