Jazlyn Behon, 6, and Alexander Holberton, 7, look at used books for sale at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday. The sale, which has expanded outside, continues through Saturday.

PROSPECT — Donations of books have long poured into the Prospect Community Library, and the basement has become a maze as a result.

About 20 years ago, the friends of the library organization began hosting book sales to raise money for programming, and to unload some of the books given by the community. The library, 357 Main St., hosts a sale in the spring and fall.

“What they couldn't keep up (in the library) here, they decided to sell,” said Christine Jones, a member of the friends of the library group known as the Bookends. “The donations can get overwhelming.”

The fall book and bake sale started Thursday and continues through Saturday — visitors can buy books for $1 or less. A portion of the sale is now outside under tents, which library director Bridget Sereday said expands the amount of books they could display at one sale.With books constantly flowing into the library, Sereday said there are many on sale, including fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, biographies and all kinds of paperback and hardback books.

“This fall we have all the books out because we have it indoors and outdoors,” Sereday said. “We have thousands of books on sale.”Money generated through the sale is used for programming at the library, and Sereday said the administrators include fundraising money in the library's annual budget. According to Sereday, the sale last fall was one of the best in years, and raised approximately $1,300 for the library.The sale in May, however, was plagued with bad weather, but the takeaway was still a positive for the library.“We had bad weather, but we were thrilled in what we ended up getting,” Sereday said. “Whatever money we do take in is used and needed.”Jones has been helping at the sale since it started, and said it takes months of preparation for each one. Despite the work required to pull it off, Jones said the frequent trips up and down the basement stairs are worth it.

“I love reading,” Jones said. “I love that it's for kids and adults and everyone can find a book they like.”The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. According to Sereday, on Saturday visitors will be able to fill up bags with books for $5 per bag.

Library volunteer Monique Mostard and her granddaughter Jazlyn Behon, 6, look at used books for sale at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21

Bobbie Holberton (left) and her son Alexander Holberton, 7, look at books for sale with librarian Shari Hunt at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book Sale Thursday. The used book sale runs through Saturday, Oct. 9. Seb Foltz/Butle Eagle 10/07/21

Annabelle Miller, 3, (center) and her sister Shiloh,1, have a pre-dinner cupcake with ther mother Sarah Miller at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21

Alexander Holberton, 7, plays with a toy at the Prospect Community Library Thursday during their Fall Book & Bake Sale. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21

Jazlyn Behon, 6, (center) and Alexander Holberton, 7, look at used books for sale at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday with Behon's grandmother and library volunteerMonique Mostard. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21

Annabelle Miller, 3, (center) and her sister Shiloh,1, have a pre-dinner cupcake with their mother Sarah Miller at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21

Annabelle Miller, 3, and her sister Shiloh,1, have a pre-dinner cupcake at the Prospect Community Library Fall Book & Bake Sale Thursday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 10/07/21