Music lovers are invited this weekend to shop CDs, records and audio equipment that stand the test of time.
The Lawrence Public Library is teaming up with Audio-Reader at the University of Kansas to host a Massive Music Sale Friday and Saturday.
Angela Hyde, the library’s Friends & Foundation program coordinator, said the collaboration brought new experiences to library staff members and volunteers. This is the event’s second go around.
“It’s just a different crew than our book sale shoppers,” Hyde said. “It’s fun, and everybody’s willing to talk about their favorite music and what they love. I’m used to people saying, ‘Oh, this book changed my life,’ and now it’s like, ‘Oh, this CD changed my life.’”
Approximately 7,000 CDs will be separated by genre and organized in alphabetical order to browse through, Hyde said. Shoppers can also expect hundreds of records and nearly 100 pieces of gently used audio equipment.
CDs will cost $5 on Friday and $3 on Saturday. Some records will be priced as low as $2, while others such as collectors’ vinyl may be priced higher. Box sets and music equipment will be marked at varying prices.
In previous years, Audio-Reader hosted multiple-day fundraisers at the Douglas County Fairgrounds that would draw hundreds of people in. But after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Audio-Reader could no longer sustain it.
Since then, Audio-Reader staff members have been hosting a series of smaller-scale sales. In January 2023, they partnered with the library on a big joint sale for the first time. This year, organizers are hoping for an even better turnout than last, with a wide range of music genres and equipment to be featured.
Music has the ability to bridge generations, said Meredith Johanning, Audio-Reader’s assistant development director.
“What’s so neat about the sale is, especially when it comes to vinyl, it has really seen a resurgence in the past many years,” Johanning said. “People of all ages enjoy vinyl, looking at it from a nostalgic standpoint to also looking at it from if you’re newly getting into it. So there really is something for everyone.”
Audio-Reader’s team of volunteers spent hours sorting through records to check their quality ahead of the sale.
The volunteers also analyzed each piece of audio equipment — all of which was donated by people in Lawrence and surrounding communities — to ensure they’re all in good shape. Denon receivers, Marantz receivers, speakers, turntables, cassette decks and more will be available.
A group of 10 library volunteers spent around eight hours alphabetizing CDs and filing each into a genre — a daunting yet rewarding feat.
“They are ready to stop singing their ABCs,” Hyde said as she laughed.
Love Garden Sounds, located at 822 Massachusetts St. in downtown Lawrence, offered some “moral support” to the library, Hyde said. Love Garden owner Kelly Corcoran donated his time and expertise as volunteers organized CDs.
All vinyl and equipment sales will support Audio-Reader’s mission to make information and art accessible, and CD and box set sales will support the library’s programs.
The Massive Music Sale is scheduled to be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 and again from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Stations will be set up in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. Both cash and cards will be accepted.
Hyde said people planning to arrive early will be able to wait inside the library’s lobby to avoid the cold until doors open.
Visit the event page on the library’s website, via lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events, for more information.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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