When my daughter was in kindergarten, she checked out the same book from the school library every week. It was a Little Golden Book about a kitten. Finally, the librarian told her she couldn’t check it out for a while - that she needed to try something else.

This was a book that wasn’t in print anymore (and it was about 10 years ago). I think Amazon sold used books then, but I don’t really remember. Anyway, I searched high and low for a copy of that book that I could buy for her and I finally found a used one at a book fair.

Have you found a treasure at the annual Greater St. Louis Book Fair or another book fair? The historic St. Louis Book Fair starts Thursday night at the Macy’s parking garage in West County Center. It’s an amazing 59 years old.

Sure, people can find used books - both valuable and not-so-valuable - online. But half of the fun is finding something you weren’t looking for. Whether it’s a valuable collectible, something you’ve searched for or a book for that has personal significance, like my daughter’s kitten book, please drop a note on what you’ve scored at the book fair.

Here are the times for the Greater St. Louis Book Fair. (See also www.stlouisbookfair.org):

Opening day:  Thursday, May 1,  4 p.m. to 10 p.m., $10 admission first night only; auction items preview, 6:30 p.m.; opening night auction, 7:30 p.m.

Admission is FREE for the rest of the fair.

Friday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Fair hours 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. for people with disabilities).

Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.