Stopped by this weekend! I picked out some great $1 DVDs for our almost 2 and 9 year old to watch in our minivan on roadtrips! Our youngest had a blast playing with the toys at their kids table! This non-profit low-cost bookstore donates all of its proceeds to Berkeley Public Library programs! They sell a large variety of used books, CDs and DVDs! Would definitely return, great service! SYOY! :-) read more

Friends of the Berkeley Public Library - $1 each!! - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love this place so much. I love getting to find good books at a really good price. The value is just so good. Not only that but I also found some great DVDs here too! Things here come from the library or are things that the library doesn't take in. Which is great because bargain seekers like me can take advantage. The people that work there are so helpful. My experience with them has always been lovely. 5/5 read more

Friends of the Berkeley Public Library - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Amazing place. I loved how you can get books for 1-3$ and they were books that I wanted to get before. Good: - Staff all seem to love what they do! Super kind people - Great value and you won't beat this - Books are all in pretty good condition so it's super worth going and helping support the public library - So much variety - from different genres to formats, this place has it all Bad: - Some of the books are in more shabby conditions and feel dirty but it's not most of them Overall this place is amazing, I'll be back! read more

The best. This is run by dedicated volunteers. They get all their books from donations. Prices reflect that: average price is $3. Lots of excellent books at 50 cents. Because it is Berkeley, and close to campus, they get an incredible variety of books, including international language ones. All the raised funds go to educational and cultural programs at the Berkeley Public Library. read more

A great place to get books! Volunteered here in 2019 and got a free copy Vineland by Thomas Pynchon. Usually there's something for me to buy here. Picked up a copy of October Sky here last year for not very much money. read more

We got so many amazing books - some for 50 cents. I could have spent all day in there. Thank you. It was well organized, too.

Efficient and helpful service. Customer focused. A pleasure to deal with. Would donate books, DVD's and CD's without hesitation. I feel my donations are in good hands. read more

Closed for 2 weeks over the holidays (Christmas and New Years). I was looking forward to coming here to browse and put together a donation box, but could not even drop off through a bin. read more

Friends of the Berkeley Public Library is a bookstore in same way Goodwills is. all the books are donated and the $ goes to a nonprofit. in this case, it's the Berkeley Library. books are $3 ish even if it's orignial price was $1.95. price is written in pencil at bottom left corner of lst or 2nd page. cash or check only, no credit cards. outside are carts with books that are free. (forgot to take pic. my hands full with books i bought) books: Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavaz, Maya Angelou, "Labyrinthe of Solitude (Mexico) + free children's books.. read more

Friends of the Berkeley Public Library - Books found. No room for Chavez. My bad! - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very helpful in getting our book donations into their store. It was door to door service. Park on Channing because it's level in from Channing. If you park on Durant there are many awkward steps to manage. read more

We always passed by this place everytime we're in Berkeley and finally decided to go in and browse around. The smell of old books just brought me back to those memories of sifting through the pages of old books sitting on the shelf and waiting to be discovered. I can tell you that I could spend my days here just browsing and going through the books both familiar and new to me and I just wanted to get them and read them all. This place carries donated books and new releases and the price is very affordable especially if you wanted to add them to your own library without your wallet screaming at you. We just kept coming back here everytime and my little one loves that I can tell him to get all the books his little hands can carry. It's also a plus that the people who run this place were very friendly and knowledgeable. It tells you that they really love the work that they do. read more

Great selection, great prices, worthiest of causes, the American public library, thanks, Ben Franklin!

The sweetest used bookstore in Berkeley IMO. Adorable, friendly staff, prices that are just lower than most everywhere else, and a constant selection of free books outside the entryway. It's nestled in the basement of this building under the parking garage with entries on both Channing and Durant. read more

This is my FAVORITE bookstore in the whole world! It's even better than random 50cent used book sales you might find on the corner, simply because the selection is so vast. This place was my little secret all throughout college. As an English major, I was able to get most of the books I needed for classes for a teeny FRACTION of what they cost elsewhere--even considerably cheaper than amazon.com because you don't have to pay shipping. Been going here for years now and I must say, it's a delight! Now they've expanded and the store front got a makeover, so people are more likely to stop by--Bummer for those of us who felt like it was our personal little store :( Still, I love reading and I love a good bargain, so it's a perfect place to make my day. Books are super cheap, staff is friendly, money goes to a great cause. In fact, after writing this, I think I may stop by there now, lol. read more

Good selection, fairly well organized, reasonable prices. Think Goodwill prices, not rummage sale. I bought four kids chapter books plus one adult paperback for $3, no complaints. Convenient, cheap parking (literally overhead), and well placed to combine with a trip to Top Dog or Yogurt Park. We'll be back! read more

wow...I paid $2.50 for a new-looking hardcover copy of Water for Elephants. I am definitely going to come back. All of their books are in really good condition and are so, so cheap. They also have a huge selection of books and genres. Definitely a must-visit if you're looking for some books to read! They accept cash and local checks read more

I want to echo everything in the first review and add these tidbits: --There is a reason this place does not look like a Barnes and Noble: this bookstore is actually a non-profit organization that supports the Berkeley Public Library System. --The books that are sold at this store are overflow copies from the Berkeley Public Libraries, and the proceeds from the store go back to the libraries. --They are only open until 4pm, primarily because the people who work there are all volunteers; yes, you read it correctly, volunteers. Be nice to them, damn it!! --Everyday the bookstore stocks a cart with free books and leaves it outside their door. I have walked away with Dr. Zhivago, All Quiet on the Western Front, Cat's Cradle and tons of general philosophy books. --This is an AWESOME place to get books that are not going to go out of style/date, i.e. classics and art books. --The average book price is $1. I paid $2 for a hardcover mint-condition copy of Roots. If this review has inspired you, please read my review about Shakespeare & Company. read more

I swore I wrote a review for this place years ago, but I guess I never did. I know I debated writing a review for this place, if only because I feel like this is MY bookstore, and I don't want to share it with ANYONE. It's a hidden away gem on the street level of the Channing Street Garage. Being a Friends of the Library bookstore, all proceeds (so far as I know anyway) go back into helping the Berkeley library system. They have an eclectic mix of just about any genre you can think of, with prices ranging anywhere from $0.50 to $3.00. I've built my personal library from the ground up with purchases from this bookstore. You don't always leave with something - some days, all you'll find are copies of books you already own, or there simply isn't anything here that catches your attention. But I feel that it's still worth perusing through. You never know when you'll stumble across THAT BOOK that you need to complete your collection. This is seriously my FAVORITE bookstore. Even above Half Priced Books. Sure, there's a bigger selection there, but only because THIS bookstore runs on donations, not buybacks. Whenever I'm in Berkeley, I make sure that I make a pit stop here. read more

As stated in previous reviews, everything in this bookstore is donated items, which they sell for chump change. They have no catalogues or sorting, so if you need something don't expect to find it. Otherwise the bookstore's modus operandi revolves around idly scanning for interesting titles. If that's up your alley, this is the bookstore for you. read more

I'm somewhat reluctant to review this, but i figure i need to share the love that is unbearably cheap books. i thought Black Oak was cheap, then i stumbled into this little store. its tucked away into an almost inaccessible corner of the telegraph parking structure, away from all the foot traffic. inside its spartan design tells you 'I'm here to sell you books as cheaply as possible, ascetics be damned.' true, it doesn't have the feel of a good used book store, and its selection is somewhat limited, you can almost always find something worthwhile, and at an amazing price. and when i say amazing, i mean amazing. i just walked away with more books than i can safely carry home - for a grand total of $5. read more

I almost don't want to review this place, so I can keep the great finds to myself! This bookstore sells mostly donated books to benefit the Berkeley Public Library. Most of the books are used, and sell at very low prices. Some new releases are placed on a counter by the checkout counter, and cost less than half of what they would at other stores. I picked up Dorie Greenspan's Baking with Julia here for a mere five bucks! I have also found books by some of excellent authors in the $0.50 shelf near the front-- David Sedaris, Michael Ondaatje, Jhumpa Lahiri, Dan Chaon, David Guterson. Outside of the clearance section, you'll find a large selection of books priced at $2-3. There's a good amount of fiction and non-fiction, plus a few DVDs and CDs. There's also a children's corner. I picked up a used copy of Harry Potter for my little sister, though I was tempted to keep that one, too! The store is volunteer-run and the folks at the counter will tell you more about the books you're buying, or share their own recommendations. There's also a small reading area near the entrance to the shop where you can sit and browse. This is one of my favorite spots near campus. There's nothing like a good book after a bad day (or even a good one!). This isn't somewhere to go if you're looking for a particular title, but you're sure to find a few great, cheap books if you stop in. read more

Great bookstore - very organized, large selection and helpful staff. They even have a shop dog!

Here are the top reasons to shop here: * Your purchases support the Berkeley Public Library * The books are cheap! * It's an adventure, you never know what you will find * It is across the hall from Revolution Books so you can go there too * Did I mention the proceeds from sales go to to the library... read more

Full Disclosure: I volunteer at the store, so you could say I'm biased if you wanted to. I was prompted to write to correct a couple of details in the older reviews. We are no longer in what we used to call the "armpit" of the Sather Gate Mall, but in a spacious, well lit, modern location in the same mall. Also, although we do have a few (VERY few) library discards, the vast majority of our books are individually donated. Now that I've said that, I also wanted to say that this store is the BEST! If you're a book lover you should be a regular visitor. We get hundreds of donated books every week so the stock is always changing. I think our prices are the lowest anywhere. AND, all proceeds benefit the Berkeley Public Library. By the way, thanks for the nice words about the all volunteer staff. We love books - all of us - and we love to see our books go to a good home. read more

Good heavens, it's cheap. The first day I wandered in here, I found a brand new, HUGE cookbook for $5. This is the most expensive of probably any book there, and still under 1/3 of the price it would be at any other used bookstore. FOTL takes cash and check only so I went to the ATM practically across the street and came back to find someone else had already bought my book--this, despite the fact that FOTL has really low traffic volume. Next time I'll ask one of the nice ladies who work there to hold it for me. This brings me to my next point: the selection. Although at any point in time it's limited, new books of all kinds come in extremely frequently and end up on the free cart, the new arrivals table and shelf, or just in their respective section of the store. For best results, visit often. 1/2009: They've recently expanded the location, so it's now very spacious and comfortable to browse. read more

Amazing prices on a wide variety of topics -- they have a substantial kids section, too. When my son was little, I would come here and pick up 15+ books for kids to pick out as birthday party favors. They were always in good shape and the prices are such you can actually afford to buy a whole mess of them! Great place for artists to pick up those large-format art books with big reproductions that are hard to afford elsewhere. Pleasant atmosphere, good signage, and all proceeds go to support the Berkeley Public Library. What's not to like?! read more

It honestly doesn't get any better than this. There's such a large selection of books (albeit maybe not one as large or organized as something like a Barnes and Nobles) that hours can easily fly by while one is browsing. Even if you're not looking for anything specific, there's always something that'll catch your eye or be up your alley. The prices also cant be beat - almost everything here is under 3 bucks. I've found a Spanish textbook, James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" and Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie", all on the "50 cents" shelf. In addition to that, they also always have some sort of sale going on. Lastly, the staff has been nothing but kind. They'll always be willing to help you out if you have any questions, and there are enough people working that there is always someone available. I always drop by if I'm in the area, even if it's just to browse. A must-visit for any avid book fan. read more

The positive: 1) The books are cheap! 2) The staff won't normally follow you around! In fact, I don't think I've ever had an interaction with a staff member. The negative: 1) The books are cheap for a reason. These books are donated and withdrawn copies of popular literature (in the broadest sense of the term). This means that the books on the shelves here are almost always in less than desirable condition, and the variety of books is dictated by popular consumption. Plenty of Garrison Keillor, not so much Marvin Harris. 2) If you're looking for something specific, forget it. This is the sort of place were your wish will not be fulfilled, but, on the other hand, if you're just killing time, you might find something utilitarian. read more

I absolutely adore this place. It is run by volunteers and so they don't pester you to buy anything. And the books are so cheap they don't need to. I picked up some wonderful books that have seen better days but are still in good shape and readable. Plus, I am sure they are good since their curation here seems to be top notch. read more

i offered dozens of good books to the channing way bookstore, but cannot hobble far enough to bring them in to the store, a few blocks away. two separate volunteers have lied to me about picking them up, saying they will and then cancelling, refusing to reschedule, and lying to me about why. their excuses are simply and obvious lies--they don't even pretend to plausibility. i will contact disabled services and the city and at least get fbpl to tell me the truth. this is extremely lacerating, abusive, and disorienting. people who care about disabled and debilitated persons should in no way help the friends of the berkeley public library. they hate us and are vicious. lying scum read more

Friendly staff and outstanding prices mark this used bookstore. Selection is fair and the space is nice and well organized.

I almost don't want to expose others to this place so that there will be more diamonds in the rough for me, but this place has so many gems I may as well share. For $20, you can pretty much start and end a collection of cookbooks. My prized pick-up: Mrs. Lincoln's Boston Cookbook. Written in 1883, but I think this is a revised edition...yet the earliest date I can find even then is 1915...It may really be that old. It looks like it. How much was it? $3.50. And that's the most expensive thing I bought during that journey. I also picked up Larousse Gastronomique for like $4. This is a freaking encyclopedia bible to everything food-related. Must go back. Oh and the colored dots on the sides of the books...I think are based off of their own organization scheme. The prices are inside of the books. The white dots means its a new arrival though. Enjoy and don't come to often for my sake. read more

I am addicted to this place! So many amazing books at such affordable prices. I have found several McSweenys here for $2, a beautiful collection of vintage, leather bound pocket Shakespeare plays, and a 1901 copy of Plato's Republic, and so much more. read more

Plan on visiting when you won't be rushed, as this place is full of treasures. Books you've never even heard about. The staff, even when busily sorting and shelving is always helpful. It's clear these volunteers love books as much as we do. Have fun. read more

For a bibliophile like me, this place is on point. Every time I go in there I find best sellers, classics, obscurities and oddities, comic books, philosophy books, and just general nerdiness all for under 3$ each. Last time I went there I bought a hardcover collection of h.g wells stories for 3$. Impressive. I also got a copy of one of my favorite books of all time, "Everything is Illuminated," for a buck! Plus, they keep the free cart out during business hours. I am an eBay seller and I found a book about antiques appraisal on the free cart. What a nice find! read more

As a friends of the library type store the selection isn't the best... don't go in expecting to find a specific item. That said, they do have an eclectic range of books and they are very very cheap. Well worth a visit to see if you can stumble on something interesting. read more

I had a great time browsing here for more than an hour. It's an ugly alleyway location, and they could use a few more chairs, but it's very convenient if you live on Berkeley's south side. The selection of both old and newer fiction was impressive, and the staff was friendly. I walked away with a pile of classics in good condition for about $15. read more

All of the stories below are true! This place is amazing, not only because of the prices and selection, but because of the joy of supporting your local public library. The selection is equally fascinating and the volunteer staff really are phenomenal. They don't care if you are there for hours and have laughed with joy at my $60 piles of books (usually about 50-60 books at that price!) Also, the books are eccentric and often come with free ephemera. One of my favorites was a copy of Kaethe Weingarten's Common Shock with a note from Kaethe to a well-known local author tucked in the pages. read more

I absolutely LOVE this bookstore. I just regret I haven't wandered in here sooner. I used to walk past it everyday last semester. I just assumed it was like any other bookstore that wasn't worth my time. Wrong. I finally ventured in there yesterday, and boy, oh boy. Everything here is so cheap, but many of the books are in really good shape. I bought an almost-new $20 book for 50 cents! Their coffee-table art books are $4. What??!! Today I bought 5 books for 4 dollars. At any other bookstore, the books would have cost me at least $35. Also, proceeds go to the Berkeley Free Library, which is great. Only thing is, don't go there with a specific book in mind because chances are, you'll never find it. But it's absolutely perfect for browsing and sometimes you'll find a great book for a tiny fraction of its' retail price. Oh, and they have a cash-only policy. And they're not open on Mondays, and they close at four (Tue-Sun). read more

Vast selection. Decent prices. I do like to get books for myself here. My real hobby is finding books that sell for a lot of money online. That is hard here since there are a lot of scouters here as well and the store sells the real finds on the stores amazon page for high prices. Don't blame them, just makes the finds a little harder here. read more