Better late than never.

The 2020 Newspapers in Education Book Sale will kick off on Thursday at the Vigilant Fire Company in Slatington.

The book sale is a joint event between the Times News and Lehigh Valley Press, divisions of the Times News Media Group.

“Slatington is that middle ground,” said Jennifer Benninger, Times News advertising director. “I had reached out to the fire company to see if we could have it there and they graciously let us do it.”

Thursday will be the Friends of NIE presale. A $10 membership is required and available at the door.

“The Newspapers in Education program is our outreach program for teachers and home-schoolers,” said Jen Rowden, Times News marketing director. “Lehigh Valley Health Network does pay for part of the program, but doesn’t fully fund the program. This is our way of offsetting the cost and to be able to give more newspapers. In the 2019-20 school year, we supplied over 40,000 to schools in the Times News and Lehigh Valley Press areas.”

It is critical to reserve a time slot to shop at the sale this year.

Thursday’s 4-5:30 p.m. presale time slot is full, and there is minimal availability from 5:30-7 p.m.

There is a maximum of 20 shoppers allowed inside of the venue at once. It is important to reserve a 90-minute shopping window to guarantee admission. Walk-ins are welcome, but will be permitted only if there are fewer than 20 shoppers inside. If not, the walk-ins will be permitted as shoppers who reserved time slots exit the venue.

“We’ll certainly accept people coming to the door as long as we aren’t over that limit,” Benninger said. “Masks are required.”

The public sale begins on Friday and runs through Sunday.

“Sunday is our big day. You can come on that day and we will provide you with a bag. You can fill that bag for $5 with anything you want,” Benninger said.

There are thousands of books available. They are separated by genres and famous authors, which makes for an easy and satisfying shopping experience.

Children’s books are 50 cents per paperback and $1 for a hardcover. Adult titles are $1 for paperback and $2 per hardcover.

Blue-ray, DVDs, CDs and video games are also available for $2.

“Even with the challenges of COVID, we do have teachers who are participating this year,” Rowden said. “It’s not at the level it was last year, and I think a lot has to do with the uncertainty, but I would say we have at least 20-30 teachers who are participating this year.

“Our original plan was to have this in April. Of course, COVID changed that. We were hoping that this would be a good time of year as people settle in for winter.”

For more information to reserve a time slot, visit the Times News Lehighton Facebook page. The book sale is listed as the company’s upcoming event.

For more information, or to reserve a time slot, contact Benninger at 484-225-8369 or jbenninger@tnonline.com.