Marshall Public Library's Last Book Sale of the Year Runs November 6 to 14

If you live anywhere near Marshall, this one is for you, your kids, and anybody you know who loves a stack of books.

The Friends of a Public Library will hold their book sale at the Marshall Public Library from November 6 through November 14. The library's own page calls it the last book sale of the year.

The plain details

• Where: Marshall Public Library, 300 S. Alamo Blvd. in Marshall. Phone 903-935-4465. (library page)
• When it opens each day: 9:30 a.m.
• When it ends each day: 30 minutes before the library closes, per the Support Your Library page.
• Library hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day, per the city calendar.

One small note so nobody makes a wasted trip. The city calendar lists the sale on November 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14, and some of its listed times run right up to closing, like the November 6 listing. The library's own sale rule says it ends 30 minutes before close. Plan to get there early, and call 903-935-4465 if you are cutting it close.

Why this library is worth showing up for

The city's About Your Library page tells a story I did not know.

In 1969, Marshall was the largest city in Texas without a public library. A group of citizens decided that was not good enough. By August of that year they formed the Friends of a Public Library. That December the city created the library by ordinance. It opened in temporary office space on September 1, 1970.

Then folks raised the money for a real building. Citizens, businesses and civic groups gave and pledged. That is how 300 S. Alamo came to be.

The same group that started it, the Friends, is the one running this book sale more than fifty years later.

The library was also accredited by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for State Fiscal Year 2027, which keeps it eligible for statewide interlibrary loans and grants.

More free things in Marshall this month

The city calendar has a full November for families:

• Arts in the Park, Saturday, November 14, 9 to 11 a.m. at Bella Wyatt Park, 1104 E. Rusk St. It is free, hosted by Marshall Parks and Recreation and the Marshall Regional Arts Council. Questions go to parksinfo@marshalltexas.net. (event page)
• Storytime with Myrtle the Therapy Dog, starting November 18 at the library. All ages welcome.
• Popcorn and a Movie, Monday, November 23 at 10:30 a.m. The movie is Ratatouille, rated PG. (event page)
• The library is closed November 26 through 29 for Thanksgiving.

How to help

The Support Your Library page lists three simple ways:

1. Join the Friends. Membership forms are at the library, and you can join at the sale door. Members help with book sales and meet twice a year over a potluck.
2. Give in someone's memory. The library takes memorial and honorarium gifts and sends an acknowledgment to the family.
3. Use it. Get a card, bring the kids to storytime, check out an e-book. A library that gets used is a library that stays.

If you are in Longview, Kilgore, Jefferson or Waskom, Marshall is a short drive. Make a morning of it. Take a grandkid. Bring a bag.