Bookworms, unite! If you live for libraries, collect more books than you’ll every read, or dabble in writing yourself, you probably LOVE literary events and book sales.
From book clubs, author talks, workshops, literary festivals, and the ever-popular book sales, you cannot get enough of the written word.
Reading isn’t just a solitary event – it connects people: the author to the reader, the reader to the characters, and like-minded readers to each other. There are so many events in Columbus that are perfect for literary lovers.
Whether you want to be social, or prefer to keep to yourself, check out some of these activities and upcoming events!
Ohio Literary Trail
Book lovers can go on an adventure trail across Ohio with the Ohio Literary Trail. Created by the Ohioana Library Association, the Literary Trail spotlight’s Ohio’s role in shaping culture and literature worldwide.
There are more than 70 sites to visit across 5 regions of the state. It’s a great way to explore new parts of the state, and hidden gems in your area.
Thurber House
A must-stop for readers, writers, and more in Columbus. Visit the living museum and restored 1873 home of humorist, cartoonist, author, playwright, and journalist James Thurber, take workshops, and more. Find details and programming here.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum on The Ohio State University campus holds the world’s largest collection of materials related to comics and cartoons.
Open to the public and admission is free. Please see website regarding closures for exhibition installations, parking, and more.
Author Talks and Visits
Author Visit for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 11, 2023 from 6-7 pm
To help celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, local author Jyotsna “Jo” Sreenivasan will give a talk about her award-winning collection of short stories, titled THESE AMERICANS. All stories are about immigrants from India. Many of the stories take place in Ohio or the Midwest. This event is suitable for adults and teens.
Dublin Public Library 75 N. High St., Meeting Room 1. Registration and details here.
CML Carnegie Author Talks
Columbus Metropolitan brings national authors to you with The Carnegie Author Series Author Talks. Programs are free! See the 2023 programs here.
Literary Festivals
Mid-Ohio Indie Author Book Expo
Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 12 PM – 4:30 PM at Mid-Ohio Food Collective
The Mid-Ohio Indie Author Book Expo is an opportunity for readers to mix and mingle with some amazing self-published and independently published authors. Meet indie authors from different genres, from inspirational romance to graphic novels.
There is something for everyone, including fabulous door prizes, food vendors, and more. Kids are welcome – there are activities for them, as well as a reading corner. Parking and admission is FREE. Details on the website.
Mid-Ohio Food Collective, 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, OH 43123
Free books for kids with The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library
Library Branches and Book Sales
There are SO, SO, SO many activities and events available through our amazing local library systems! From book clubs, arts/crafts, senior events, workshops, movie nights, and more, you can always find something fun to do at the library for all ages.
The branches offer Summer Reading programs for all ages, and many offer Winter Reading program as well!
Check out the book sales to enjoy “new to you” books at a low price! Sales are often held in the spring and fall, so if you don’t see updated info, check the link for the next sale.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Systems Big Book Sale
March 11, 2023, with the clearance sale on March 12 from 1-4 pm.
TBA Fall 2023, with the clearance sale on Sunday from 1-4 pm.
Read about it here.
Marysville Public Library
Friends of the Library Book Sale
March 25-26, 2023 – Saturday, 9 am – 4:30 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Details here.
Fall 2023; tba See calendar for updates.
Pickerington Public Library Friends of the Library Book Sale
Spring Book Sale: March 29-April 2, 2023
Pop-Up Children’s Book Sale:
Fall Book Sale: November 1 – 5, 2023
Worthington Libraries
Books are available for sale at all Worthington library locations. Displays are located in the lobby area of both Old Worthington Library and Northwest Library and to the right of Worthington Park Library’s entrance.
Friends also holds special sales four or five times a year at Old Worthington Library on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A members-only preview sale is held on Thursday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books and other materials during Sunday’s sales are even discounted. Read more here.
March 30, April 1-2, 2023
May 4-7, 2023
August 3-6, 2023
November 16-19, 2023
Granville Public Library
Plant Swap: April 22, 2023. Details here.
Book Sale a La Carte: tba 2023
Fall Book Sale a la Carte: tba 2023
Licking County Library System
Winter Reading Challenge (online): Through March
Spring Book Sale: April 29
Summer Reading Challenge: June-July
Summer Book Sale: tba 2023. Books are sold for $5 per bag and are distributed at the door. Beginning at 12pm, all bags go on clearance and are sold for $1.00. Join Friends of the Library, and shop early on August 26 from 5:30-7:30.
Friends of the Upper Arlington Library Book Sale
Friends of the UA Library offer 4 general sales per year and occasionally a more focused sale such as media- DVD, CD, vinyl etc.
Spring Sale: May 7-21, 2023. 2800 Tremont Rd Upper Arlington 43221
Friends MEMBER ONLY PRESALE Sunday, May 7 from 11 am-1 PM. Membership applications are at the Friends page of the Library’s website or the Friends desk at Tremont.
The Sale is open to THE PUBLIC at 1 PM on Sunday, May 7, and continues through regular library hours. New items will be put out throughout the sale based on donations during the sale.
Friends of the UAPL MEMBER ONLY PRE BAG SALE: Sunday, May 21 from 11 AM- 1 PM. Members can fill one of the provided shopping bags for just $5 per bag. The bag sale opens to the pubic at 1 pm, and bags are $10 for nonmembers.
Summer Sale: Aug 13-27
Fall Sale: Nov 5-19
Bexley Public Library
Friends of the Library Book Sale: May 11-14, 2023
Thursday, May 11th: from 5-7 pm is the Members Only Pre-Sale. You must be a current member of the Friends of Bexley Public Library, memberships may be purchased at the door or on their website at friendsbexlib.org. Sale opens to the public from 7-8 pm. Details here.
Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale: TBA 2023
Thursday from 5-7 pm is the Members Only Pre-Sale. You must be a current member of the Friends of Bexley Public Library, memberships may be purchased at the door or on their website at friendsbexlib.org. Sale opens to the public from 7-8 pm.
Delaware County District Libraries
tba 2023
Delaware Main
tba 2023: 5 – 8 pm (Books-only)
tba 2023: 9 am – 3 pm (Books & Media)
Delaware Orange Branch
tba 2023: 9 am – 3 pm
Book Sale at Powell Street Market
tba 2023: 9 am – 4 pm
Pataskala Public Library
In the back of the Library are shelves of books that have been discarded from the collection and are available for purchase at bargain prices. Check it out whenever you visit.
Check the calendar to see if other book sales are scheduled.
Southwest Public Libraries
Book Sales: The Friends have an ongoing sale at both Grove City (in the Friends of the Library Book Sale Room) and at Westland (in the entrance lobby). Special sales are also held periodically.
Stay up-to-date with Friends sales and events through their website or Facebook page. Read more here.
Book Clubs
We aren’t including book clubs because there are so many, and it’s a lot to update and keep track of. If you know of a book club that is open to new members, please leave a comment with details for other readers to see.
Otherwise, most libraries, bookstores, and even some museums have book clubs open to the public.
Upcoming book sales, book festivals, and other literary events
Friday, June 9, 2023
Monday, June 12, 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Friday, June 16, 2023
Monday, June 19, 2023
Friday, June 23, 2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
Friday, June 30, 2023
Monday, July 3, 2023
Friday, July 7, 2023
Monday, July 10, 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Friday, July 14, 2023
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Monday, July 17, 2023
Friday, July 21, 2023
Monday, July 24, 2023
Friday, July 28, 2023
Monday, July 31, 2023
Friday, August 4, 2023
Fun and free events for all ages at Upper Arlington Public Library
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Delaware County Library Author Talks
Check out Author Talks with Friends of the Delaware County District Library. Any session that requires a ticket price benefits the Friends of the Library and their mission to support DCDL and literacy in Delaware County.
TBA for 2023. Details/registration here.
Read to Lead/Write to Enlight Book Festival
TBA for 2023 from 1 pm – 4 pm at The Point at Otterbein.
Read to Lead/Write to Enlight is a concept about the natural process of allowing reading and writing to become a part of your daily activities and supporting authors, whether they are local, out-of-state, or from another country.
The event will be geared toward spotlighting 7-10 local authors, with the potential to also include 1-3 authors from other states. Authors will have the ability to sell their work, talk with attendees, and get the community engaged in reading, writing, and literacy activities. Authors and illustrators can visit MelicaNiccole to find out more details about the event.
The Point at Otterbein, 60 Collegeview Road, Westerville, OH 43081
Val says
Thank you! Great option!
LuLu says
Hi! Another fantastic book resource is Cover to Cover Children’s books. They have a lot of author events and storytimes. https://www.covertocoverchildrensbooks.com/