The Friends of the Wareham Free Library got a helping hand from students of the Wareham Jr. Sr. Cooperative School on Thursday as volunteers sorted through 8,000 used books in preparation for the Friends' big book sale.

"So many books!" one student yelled as a cart full of books was pushed through a side door of the library. "Ahhh!"

The sale runs on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices run from 25 cents to $2, with the proceeds paying for programming at the main branch and the Spinney Memorial Library in Onset.

The students earned credit for community service and were eager to help lug books from the library's storage shed and sort them into categories for easy shopping once the sale begins.

Priscilla Porter of the Friends said she and her fellow volunteers were thankful for the extra hands the students provided.

"They're great kids," she said. "I told them to take a book when they leave."

A yard sale will also be held on Saturday and will include furniture, household items, and accessories.