In “Taxidermy Gone Wrong,” author Rob Colson explores the world of odd, taxidermied animals from around the globe. Inside the pages is a photo of a rat holding a cheese surfboard and wearing a hula skirt.
It’s just one title in the maze of 200,000 discounted books from 50 categories alongside vinyls, games, CDs and DVDs displayed at the annual Mary Jane McCord Planned Parenthood Book Sale.
The 51st sale kicked off Thursday and will run through Sept. 21 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, at 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara. About 200 volunteers help organize and support the event.
“We really feel like this is going to be a turning point for us, and we look forward to seeing an increase in sales because the need has never been greater for the support that Planned Parenthood provides to 30,000 people year-round,” volunteer and children’s book author Jim Buckley said.
The money raised through book and ticket purchases goes toward supporting Planned Parenthood California Central Coast and its six centers in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo.
Opening day was the only day tickets were required; for the rest of the event, admission and parking are free. Book prices range from $1 to $5, with rarer items higher in price.
This year, the fundraiser is set against the backdrop of federal funding cuts affecting California Planned Parenthood centers.
Book buyers get creative with holding and storing their purchases. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo
“Planned Parenthood is facing numerous funding threats, so that is definitely in the back of our minds,” Luz Reyes Martín, PPCCC vice president of advocacy and engagement, said.
However, the news didn’t change the energy of opening day. Planned Parenthood staff noted that they had about 130 people lined up by 3 p.m., an hour before the doors opened.
Book sale chair Jojo Snyder said this year already has more attendees, estimating about 600 people just on opening day.
The sale attracts booksellers all vying to get their hands on as many discounted books as they can. Buckley said there were people from San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and even Michigan.
Bookseller duo Alyssa and Michael Lopez of Sacramento arrive to the book sale prepared with two wagons and moving bags. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo
Husband-and-wife bookseller duo Alyssa and Michael Lopez made their trek a day early, traveling from Sacramento. They sell their finds on eBay at Michaels Books and More. Standing in line with two wagons stuffed with plastic moving bags and no budget, their game plan was to rush to the old book section and to leave with full wagons and about 10 full bags.
“We travel around different states for books, and they have one of the best, I would say,” Alyssa Lopez said.
Other people in line came to bulk up their personal libraries at a budget-friendly price.
Book sale shoppers look through the thousands of available titles. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo
Santa Barbara resident Christina Hamilton said she came looking mostly for recent bestsellers that she could read herself or gift to her friends and family. She said she planned to spend about $300.
“I view this as free books because I would give the donation anyway, so I always tell people I am so happy to spend as much as I can and then I have a year-plus worth of material,” she said.
Every day, the tables of books get a refresh as volunteers place new and different titles.
Sale hours this weekend are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., then noon to 7 p.m. Monday and noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The final weekend’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The sale officially ends Sunday, Sept. 21 with a 50% discount alongside a teacher discount.