Little City gears up for big book sale

Step aside, Kindle and iPad.

Print is king at this year's Little City Used Book Sale, where comic books, collectibles and cookbooks alike will make up just a few of the 70 available genres.

Readers eyeing the most treasured finds are expected to begin lining up before the 10-day event kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie.

Organizers hope the draw of more than 200,000 books will help them match the $200,000 earned at last year's sale. Proceeds fund programs supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Palatine-based Little City Foundation.

"Everyone's always looking for bargains and this is a great place to find them," Little City Director of Communication and Marketing Rick Johnson said.

A record-breaking 8,000 people attended the 2009 book sale, making it one of the biggest in the nation. It takes place in a massive tent in Old Orchard's west parking lot. Admission is free, except for a $10 donation on opening night.

Though Little City stepped in as organizer and beneficiary four years ago, the book sale has been around for decades. The Illinois North Shore Chapter of the Brandeis University National Women's Committee started it in 1959, using proceeds in later years for the school library in Waltham, Mass.

The book sale now serves as a critical fundraiser for Little City, which, like many social service agencies, faces potential cuts in state funding.

"All our events are highly vital to keeping the support and funding for Little City strong," Johnson said. "Individuals are contributing about 20 percent less than in the past."

One change from years past is the absence of author appearances and days designated for particular groups such as seniors. Johnson said those events weren't heavily attended.

But the bargain weekend of June 12-13 will continue, in which everything but collector's items is half off.

Among the collector's items donated are a history of Chicago series and a group of books on railroad and trains, both featuring more than 30 books. Teachers and parents who home school their children can find plenty of educational materials, too.

Johnson said there will be a drop-off area for people who want to contribute to next year's event.