Booksellers around southwest Florida, and the world, are gearing up for Saturday’s release of J.K. Rowling’s new Harry Potter book.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the 6th title in the massively popular children’s series.

Its publisher – Scholastic Books – has printed a record-setting 10-point-8-million copies for worldwide distribution.

Owner of Sarasota News & Books – Caren Lobo – says nothing really compares to the demand for Harry Potter…

“This is geometrically different. It’s a publishing phenomenon, and I don’t think there’s ever been anything that comes even close to it. We sell hundreds of copies of other authors’ books on a regular basis, but Harry Potter has just imprinted itself on the imaginations of people all over the world.”

Lobo says she’s ordered 4 or 5 times as many of the new Harry Potter book than other best selling titles. Her store will stay open past midnight Friday.

Libraries are also “preparing for Potter.”

Lee County Library spokeswoman Heather O’Connell says they’ve ordered more than 300 copies…but that’s not all…

“We then order something we call most wanted books – and those are leased titles – so when we know we have something as big as Harry Potter we go ahead and do additional leases of those same materials so that we can have more available in the libraries to meet the patron need.”

O’Connell says the “most wanted” program began during the LAST Harry Potter release.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also setting records at the U.S. Postal Service. Amazon.com is shipping more than 900,000 copies for Saturday delivery…the largest single online fulfillment event in history.