Recent budget setbacks at the Houston Public Library (HPL) mean that this weekend's 32nd annual Bargain Book Sale is more than just a way to score some hard-to-find books on the cheap.

The nonprofit Friends of the Houston Public Library has, for almost 60 years, provided financial support and resources for HPL programs such as the children's Summer Reading Program, library events and advocacy and recognition for the library system in the community. The Bargain Book Sale (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the George R. Brown Convention Center) is the organization's largest fundraiser, typically netting more than $150,000 in a single weekend for the library.

Earlier this month HPL announced that, due to budget woes, the library system would be reducing their hours of operations at several locations throughout the city. It's a plight that has affected libraries in other cities too. Last fall, the Philadelphia Free Library system, the oldest and sixth-largest in the United States, considered shutting down operations at its 54 branches until budget woes could be resolved.

The library was eventually saved by funding from a state house bill.

Many of the Houston Library's 45 branches are now only open Monday through Friday. Only 10 branches are still open on the weekends. The Central Library and the Parent Resource Library at the Children's Museum of Houston are the only branches open on Sundays.

The Bargain Book Sale benefits readers too — most books are $2 or less, though hardbacks, best-sellers and specialty or hard-to-find books may be more. The sale includes reference books, kids' books and even CDs and DVDs. By the final day the stacks are often picked through, but Sunday is also "bag day," where shoppers can take home everything they can fit into a provided paper bag, for the price of $10.

Most of the books at the sale are "retired" from the library, though some are donated by local groups or individuals.

If you miss the book sale this weekend you can still become a member of the Friends of HPL. Individual memberships cost $20 a year, which includes a private access to the Friday pre-sale at each year's Bargain Book Sale. The Friends of the HPL also seeks volunteers to help at the Friends' warehouse, where donated books are stored and sorted.