Bookworms, don't miss this big sale

Today, several hundred people -- maybe more -- will line up at the Gaillard Auditorium, boxes and bags in hand, anticipation coursing through their veins, ready to do battle for valuable treasure.

They're looking for adventure, a little mystery, perhaps even a bit of self-help.

For those people, this is one of the most anticipated days of the year. It is the book hound's version of panning for gold, and the odds are a lot better.

Today is the opening of the Friends of the Library book sale.

There are two kinds of people in this world: Folks who read books, and those who think bookshelves are for DVDs. The latter group won't understand this, and that's too bad.

They are missing out, in more ways than one. Who needs reality TV when you've got historical nonfiction?

For readers, and the rare-book collectors, this is a day of great discovery. Between the beat-up book club editions, the dog-eared Danielle Steels and the discarded "Da Vinci Codes," they might find a rare early McMurtry or McCarthy, the elusive Hemingway or Hammett.

The good news is that these people are not only going to have a good time, but they are helping the community out in ways that most people don't even realize.

Epic support

The Friends of the Library book sale raises a lot of money each year.Last year it was about $76,000.

That money goes entirely to the Charleston County Public Library to fund the programs it hosts for children and adults throughout the rest of the year. In fiscal year '09, the money from the Friends book sales and other fundraisers paid for 4,324 programs at 16 libraries. More than 130,000 people attended those events.

Jamie Thomas, public relations and marketing manager at the library, says most of those things would not have happened without the Friends of the Library's support.

"For the most part, local and state funds pay for the library's infrastructure, buildings, operations, staffing and materials," Thomas says. "It is the money raised by the Friends that gives the library the ability to offer the Charleston County residents such amazing and diverse programming, events and classes." That's the very definition of a worthy cause.

Short stories

There are as many story lines in the aisles as there are in the books.

There are several hundred volunteers, folks who break their backs to set up the 60,000 books you'll find in the auditorium. Many put in weeks of work throughout the year sorting donated books people bring in.

Among the shoppers, you'll find the casual browsers looking for a copy of "Charleston Receipts," a whole lot of people who eat series mysteries like candy, and the hard-core collectors who dig out the few rare books that slip through the cracks. Don't even try it if you don't know what you're looking for. Hint: the 87th printing of "Cold Mountain" isn't worth $10.

In a state that has had its struggles with literacy, it's nice to see a literary event draw so many folks. It's good to know there are still people out there who actually read.

It's just too bad it's not more.

Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. Read more columns by Brian Hicks here.