It takes the efforts of you and over 1,000 other volunteers to help us hold one of the largest Booksales in the nation! Thank you for making it possible for the Friends to fulfill our mission of supporting the Metropolitan Library System. We want your volunteer experience to be a positive one, so we’ve included some helpful information below as well as some training information for you.
If you do have any questions or need further information, please contact us at 405-606-3763 or at friends@metrolibrary.org.
Please review the instructions and videos below for your assigned position(s) to know what you will be doing:
Book Stocker Goal: Make sure tables are full of the right categories of books ready for shoppers.
Cashier Goal: Quickly and accurately add and charge customers for their books.
You will be either a counter or cashier forming a team at each table. There should always be two volunteers at each table. Counters will separate the books and other non-print items and help figure the total amount of each purchase.
Cashiers will tally the purchase using an adding machine and accept cash or check for the total amount, or call for a credit card volunteer by raising the Credit Card sign. Cashiers will also be responsible for providing the customer with a receipt.
Debit/Credit cards are accepted. There is also an ATM in the main lobby.
At each table there will be signs for notification
Please see your volunteer supervisor for any special cashier requirements.
Please smile and say thank you to our customers!
Cashier Goal: Quickly and accurately add and charge customers for their books.
You will be part of a team including a counter and a cashier at one table. There should always be two volunteers at each table.
If the customer has not already added purchases on a tally sheet;
Counters will separate the hardbacks, softbacks and other non-print items and count each category.
Cashiers will tally the purchase and accept cash or check for the amount, or call for a credit card volunteer by raising the credit card sign. Cashiers will also be responsible for providing the customer with a receipt.
Debit/Credit cards are accepted for purchases over $20. There is also an ATM in the main lobby.
At each table there will be signs for notification
Please see your volunteer supervisor for any special cashier requirements.
Please smile and say thank you to our customers!
Goal: Enhance the shopping experience by helping customers with hand trucks, information and help.
Customer Service Table
Line Monitor
Door Greeter and Guest Monitor
Hand Truck Goal: Help with the flow in the cashier area and assist customers with their purchases.
Goal: Help customers continue to shop by holding purchases until shopping is completed.
Goal: Bring all books, shelving and equipment into the Oklahoma Expo Building as quickly and safely as possible.
Goal: Remove all books, shelving and equipment from the Oklahoma Expo Building as quickly as possible.
Goal: Make sure tables are full of the right categories of books ready for shoppers.
Please see your Quad Coach/Volunteer Supervisor for any special set up requirements.
Hospitality Goal: Make all Booksale Volunteers feel welcomed and valued – because Booksale wouldn’t happen without ALL of you!
Familiarize yourself with ALL the volunteer job descriptions as well so you can answer questions volunteers may have about their area. For any questions you can't answer, please direct the volunteers to the Volunteer Table.
The process for volunteers will be as follows:
After all volunteers are checked in, most Hospitality Volunteers will go to the Booksale Kitchen to help with meal prep, or take water, and snacks to all volunteer areas. During the sale, please be sure to visit all the door guards, volunteers in the lobby holding area, and Better Books volunteers in addition to the General Area volunteers.
You may also point out the restrooms by the Booksale kitchen and in the lobby of the Oklahoma Expo Building.
Also - remember to say a special thanks to any volunteer in a colored logo shirt - these volunteers work tirelessly all year to make Booksale happen!
Address - OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma Expo Hall, 3213 Wichita Walk, Oklahoma City
Parking is free, but come early to get a close spot! There is parking close to Gate 10 (closed for driving but you can walk through) directly North of the Oklahoma Expo Building.
The Volunteer entrance is on the north side of the building. See the map below.
Volunteer Check-In
When volunteering, please wear your complimentary Booksale t-shirt paired with very comfortable shoes and casual clothing that can be washed—books are dusty!
Visit the Volunteer Table Saturday, February 18 – Friday, February 24 from 10 am to 12 noon to pick your shirt. You can also pick up your shirt on the volunteer limited shopping night Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm or at the start of volunteer shift.
As little as possible! There is not storage for personal items of any kind, so please make plans to wear/carry anything you bring with you, including your coat, purse, backpack, etc. or leave them at home!
Restrooms are located in the South end of the front lobby as well as in the back of the general area through the double glass doors. Please ask your volunteer supervisor for a break if you need one at any time.
Yes, there will be water and snacks for all volunteers.
You can go here, log in, and cancel or reschedule your shift, or call 405-606-3763 and leave a message.
You may call the Friends at 405-606-3763 or email friendsvol@metrolibrary.org.
In case of evacuation overhead doors on both sides of the building will open. Direct people to those doors and exit the building yourself.
You’ll check in at the volunteer table along the west wall of the general shopping area. Sign in will be by last name: A – I, J – P, Q – Z. Please see the Friends’ Booksale – Oklahoma Expo Building Layout.
Volunteers (no substitutes please!) may shop on Thursday evening, February 23, from 5:30—7:30 pm at the Oklahoma Expo Building. You will enter through the lobby entrance; check-in to receive two tickets, one for Better Books and one for the General Area. You will be able to check out and pay only one time on each side.
NOTE: If you plan to shop in both the General and Better Books Areas and plan to pay with a check or purchase order, you must bring two separate types of payments, one to be used in each area. You will not be able to use one check to pay for books being purchased from the two areas. We accept cash, checks and debit/credit cards.
Debit/credit card may be used to make purchases.
In the interest of time and fairness to all, please don't browse or shop during your volunteer shift(s), or while wearing a name badge, apron, or volunteer t-shirt, or during set-up. Please do not bring children or guests unless they are also independently signed up and registered to volunteer as well.
Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm
The Booksale Committee asks that you follow these shopping guidelines (please do not ask for exceptions!):
General Area:
Better Books:
Limits are a total purchase of thirty (30) books with a maximum of five from any single category.
Holding Area:
The Holding Area will NOT be staffed Thursday night. Books placed in the Holding Area is done at the shopper’s own risk. Shoppers will be responsible for their own purchases.
Can I shop after the sale?
YES! Volunteers and representatives from non-profit organizations may choose as many books as they would like for FREE from 6 – 7:30 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2023. After Booksale ends at 5:30 pm, please exit the building, and re-enter at 6 pm or when the buildings are cleared. This is just another way we like to give back to the community and show appreciation for you as a volunteer!
To print a copy of these guidelines, please click here.