buy books

Photo credit: CBC

May 10-20, 2024
Calgary Curling Club
720 3rd Street NW

More than 175,000 gently used and wonderfully organized books await you at the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale. This is a reader’s paradise and now you can shop the sale three ways: on the first two days by appointment, later as the crowds thin out or on our incredible special days. See our hours below!

shop the Big Book Sale!

With plenty of room for books, volunteers and guests – and with tables refreshed daily – our 10-day sale brings you a leisurely, comfortable shopping experience. Yes, we accept cash, debit and credit cards. Most adult books are $4 and most children's books are $2.
Yes, you can come as many times as you like. Let the hunt begin!

Map of the Calgary Curling Club showing parking

where is the Big Book Sale?

Find the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale at the Calgary Curling Club, 720 3rd Street NW.

Driving?
On sale days, there’s free parking at the Curling Club, and if it’s a busy day, Lot 59 is just east of the club off of Memorial Drive with a connecting walkway. On May 10 & 11 there is free parking in lot 59. On the Free Sale Day (May 20) from 11 am - 4 pm there is NO parking at the club (save for handicap parking), but Lot 59 is an option and it's $2/day.

Taking transit?
The closest C-Train stop is the Sunnyside Station 1km west of the Curling Club. Bus 104 from the Sunnyside Station  will take you to 5 St. NW, 3 blocks west of the Calgary Curling Club.

Biking?
There are bike racks at the Curling Club and at the foot of the stairs leading to McHugh Bluff.

families that read, thrive

Every time you open a book and read with your child, you build brains and bonds. Reading aloud is a calming activity that brings the chance to grow vocabulary, empathy, problem-solving and more. Children learn to read – and then they read to learn. That’s why we say books open the door to a lifetime of opportunity.

Visit Little Red Reading House for free resources to help nurture your child’s lifelong love of reading.

An image of a father reading to his two sons

buy books faq’s

Thank you for taking a moment to read these FAQ’s before reaching out.

How much are books and how do I pay the event fee?

Most children's books are $2 and most adult books are $4. Collectibles will see a range according to value.

The event fee is charged along with your payment for books upon exiting the sale. The event fee is $5 on May 10 and 11; $3 on all other sale days except for the last day, Monday May 20 (though we'll happily accept $$ donations by cash or card that day.)

What methods of payment are accepted?

We accept cash, debit and credit cards.

Which sale days require a booking?

To help control numbers on our two busiest days, appointments are required on May 10 and 11. The link to book a spot is here

How long can I stay & can I bring pets?

Stay as long as you like – both on days with appointments and other sale days. We have a no-pet policy at the curling club during the sale so we ask that you please leave dogs at home

Where should I park?

There’s free parking at the Curling Club, and if it’s is a busy day, Lot 59 is just east of the Club off of Memorial Drive with a connecting walkway. On May 10 & 11 there is free parking in lot 59. On the Free Sale Day (May 20) from 11 am - 4 pm there is NO parking at the club (save for handicap parking), but Lot 59 is an option and it's $2/day.

What size box can I use on fill-a-box day?

Boxes must be banker's size or smaller. You can bring your own box or you can use one of ours!

volunteer

Join the fun and get first pick of books at the pre-sale event.

Learn more

donate
books

Give your gently used books to a good cause.

Learn more