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The University of Illinois’ library is having its annual book sale Thursday, Oct. 29.

The sale will be in the Charles & Millicent Marshall Gallery on the main floor of the Main Stacks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prices for the books are already significantly reduced, but beginning at 3 p.m., the prices drop even lower with a “$3 Bag Sale.”

“We let customers purchase as many books as they can fit into a typical plastic grocery bag for three dollars,” said Chris Johns, a library manager.

The idea of the book sale spawned from a project by the Staff Association, a campus organization that existed from 1961 to 1978. Beginning in the 1980s, the library held an annual book sale with a variety of books, from textbooks to romance novels and everything in between.

“You can find just about anything,” said Johns.

All proceeds from the event go back into the library to purchase books students, faculty and patrons have requested.

The library also uses the profit to honor newly promoted or tenured faculty members at the university. The library purchases a book of the honoree’s choice that will be plated with their name and achievements along with the year of the promotion.

Johns explained that the sale is a fun break from the day and an easy way to support the library.

“The book sale is a great way to recycle books while helping the library,” Johns said. “It’s a lot of fun poking around the tons of books to find something special or unusual.”