The St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s biannual Used Book Sale returns to the Staenberg Family Complex Arts & Education Building Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29. Patrons can once again stock up on a new selection of used reading materials of every genre—including mysteries, general fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and much more.
Book lovers, collectors, and avid readers all anticipate this event which benefits the Cultural Arts at the J. Thousands of titles include novels, biographies, politics, religion, sports, cookbooks, history, animals, art, science, science fiction, business, women’s issues, foreign languages, gardening, poetry, psychology, self-help, humor — the list goes on.
Parents and educators can hunt through a large selection of books for children and youth as well as educational materials for homeschoolers. Multiples of titles are available for book club reading along with miscellaneous videos, books on tape/CDs and DVDs. Books are priced from 50 cents to $3. Special items—collectibles, antiques, DVDs and more—are priced as marked. It is important to note that each Used Book Sale event offers an entirely new collection as leftover books from the previous sale are donated.
The updated dates and admission prices for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s Summer Used Book Sale are as follows:
- Sunday, August 25
• 8–10 a.m. – VIP Early Access: $100 admission
• 10 a.m.–6 p.m. – General Public Preview Day: $20 admission
Children 16 and under can browse for free. - Monday, August 26 – Wednesday, August 28
• 10 a.m.–7 p.m. – General Admission: Free - Thursday, August 29
• 10 a.m.–8 p.m. – Bag Day: Fill a bag for $10 — or buy 4 and get the 5th free
• Free books for teachers and nonprofit workers during evening hours
For updated and complete information, visit https://jccstl.com/programs/used-book-sale/.
5 Smart Tips for a Successful Book Hunt at the J’s Sale
- Prioritize first. Wander freely
Start with your must-haves—favorite authors, book club picks, or topics for your classroom. Hit those sections early, while your energy and focus are fresh. Then let yourself browse freely, guilt-free. - Pack like a pro
Bring a flat-bottom tote or rolling bag. You’ll thank yourself when your arms aren’t aching by aisle four. Bonus points if your bag folds flat and leaves your hands free for flipping pages. - Claim your stack spot
As you gather books, don’t drag them with you. Stash your growing pile near the register—just label it with your name or a sticky note. This lets you keep moving without juggling a mini library. - Know when to skip
You don’t need to conquer every shelf. If you’re not into cookbooks or war memoirs, skip those sections entirely. Conserve your energy for the genres that bring you joy—or surprise you. - Treat it like a treasure hunt
The real thrill is in the unexpected find—a vintage cover, a book you forgot you loved, or something you never would’ve picked up at full price. Let yourself be surprised.
