The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, outside the Oxford Public Library, weather permitting. The rain date is Saturday, May 30.

Limited in the past by the lack of a place where they could sort and pack donations, the organization of about a dozen active members this year received permission from Patrick Haynes of Haynes Materials to use the S.B. Church house, which his company owns, on Great Hill Road.

"He's our hero," said Friends member and book sale chairman Hamilton Brosious as he took a break from his sorting chores one afternoon last week.

Mr. Brosious, who lives at Oxford Greens, brought to the group his experience helping organize book sales in his former place of residence, Newtown.

In addition to having a base to work in, the organization this year enlisted the cooperation of several merchants in providing drop off points for donations.

These include Stop & Shop in Southbury and Starbucks on Oxford Road. The Oxford Greens Clubhouse and Oxford Public Library also are accepting donations.

Moreover, the Stop & Shop Supermarkets in both Southbury and Seymour have given the Friends hundreds of cardboard tomato packing boxes, which are the perfect size for filling and handling, the group said.

So far, the volunteer organization has filled 150 boxes, each labeled with the kind of books they contain.

The Friends, determined to raise as much money as possible for library programs, started getting ready for the book sale about a month ago.

So far, it has collected more than 2,000 volumes, including some rare books, fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children's books. There also is a collection of audio books, videos, DVDs and music CDs.

New hardcover books will be sold for $2 each or three for $5 and older hardcovers will cost $1 each or three for $2. Paperbacks, including trade paperbacks, will be 50 cents or three for $1.

As the final hours of the sale approach, bargain prices will be offered.

Friends also will be selling tote bags to carry the books in for $2 apiece.

The volunteers hope to collect at least 1,000 more books before the day of the sale and anticipate doubling its proceeds this year.

"We're mainly trying to raise funds for programs for children without taxpayer assistance," said Mr. Brosious. "We recognize that money is tight."