Cobb County Library Book Sale

The Cobb County Public Library System and the Friends of the Library are hosting their semi-annual book sale in the spring and fall at the Cobb Civic Center. The three-day event starts on a Friday and brings more than 100,000 items together under one roof, offering readers a chance to browse thousands of books along with a wide selection of media.

Sale items include hardback and paperback books for adults, young adults, and children. Shoppers will also find DVDs, Blu-ray discs, CDs, records, audiobooks on CD, magazines, comic books, puzzles, and other audio-visual materials. Many of the items come from library collections that have been withdrawn due to age or low circulation, along with donated materials. Proceeds from the sale help fund the purchase of new books and library resources throughout Cobb County.

Veterans of the Cobb County Library book sale recommend arriving early. Lines often begin forming before the doors open on Friday morning, and the first hours tend to draw the biggest crowds. Even with heavy attendance, thousands of items remain available throughout the event.

Adult fiction hardcovers are typically organized alphabetically by author’s last name, while nonfiction titles are grouped by subject. Additional sections usually include young adult books, children’s materials, and adult fiction paperbacks. The media section features CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and audiobook CDs, with occasional vinyl records that often sell quickly.

Shoppers benefit from bringing tote bags, backpacks, or boxes to carry their finds while browsing. Some frequent attendees bring rolling carts or small wagons to handle larger stacks of books.

Organizers suggest coming prepared for a large event. Making a short list of books or topics ahead of time can help shoppers focus once inside the sale. Opening morning on Friday at 9 am typically offers the widest selection, though the volume of items means there are still plenty of choices throughout the weekend.

Leaving time to browse can lead to unexpected discoveries, and some visitors embrace the habit known in Japan as “tsundoku,” the practice of buying books to read later. The sale can also be a good place to find inexpensive gifts or books for classrooms and reading programs.

Snacks are allowed, though drinks should be sealed tightly, and coffee is best left outside the sales floor.

To keep the sale running smoothly during the busiest hours, a few guidelines are in place Friday morning. Electronic scanners are not permitted until 1 pm, and purchases are limited to two boxes of items at a time until that point. Shoppers are asked to pay and take items to their vehicle before returning to continue browsing.

Residents who need to free up shelf space can donate books and other materials at any Cobb County library branch. Donations help stock future sales and support library programs across the county.

For readers hunting for a bargain or looking to fill an empty bookshelf, the Cobb County Library Spring Book Sale offers three days packed with affordable finds.

Prices
Prices range from 10 cents to $4. Prices subject to change.
Books, Magazines, Videos, Records, CDs, and More.
Adult Hardbacks $1.50
Large format paperbacks $1.00
Pocket paperbacks $ .50
DVD, BluRay, CD single discs $2.00
DVD, BluRay, CD multidisc sets $4.00
Audiobooks on CD $1.00
Magazines $ .10/ea or $2.00/box
Children’s Hardbacks $1.00
Children’s Paperbacks $ .50
Board & Golden books $ .50
Records & Puzzles $ .50
Empty AV Cases $ .10

Acceptable forms of payment are debit, credit (Visa and MC only), cash, and check. On Friday until 1 pm, electronic scanners are not permitted. The book sale will only be able to sell up to 2 boxes of items at a time on Friday until 1 pm. Please plan to pay and take items to your vehicle before continuing shopping.

Date:
Spring Sale: March 13-15, 2026
Fall Sale: TBD

Time:
Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm – bring your own box day: fill any size box (you can carry back to your car) for a flat rate of $10 upper level only and $20 lower level only or mixed.

Admission:
Free

Parking:
Free

Address:
Cobb Civic Center
548 South Marietta Pkwy SE
Marietta, GA 30060
(Formerly held at Jim Miller Park)

For information on the sale or to volunteer for this event, please call Alex Beswick at (770) 528-2320 or visit cobbcounty.org/library.