Saint Clare’s Book Barn

We went to this store for the first time today. Great selection. Great prices. I’m taking a point off because when paying the guy taking the money he was tossing the books, the nice books that I just picked out, while adding up the total. He needs to show some respect for the books that the customers are about to pay for. I find this problem to be fairly common when paying for a book. The person handling the book treats it rather poorly. Most of the time now I tell the person that I collect and to please be gentle. Sometimes it works and other times their idea of gentle is not quite correct. But anyhow, this is a pretty good store with lots of categories to choose from. Just tell them when paying that you care about the condition so they should handle with care.

I’m not from the area, but was in rockaway at the Goodwill store. A customer saw I was books and asked if I had been to the book barn. She gave me directions and away I went. It is a reader’s paradise. Very well organized and very friendly. It’s worth the trip no matter where you live. Thanks to the volunteers!!!

This is definitely my favorite used bookstore. The prices are just wonderful (see other review), the staff is cheery and helpful (all volunteers), and it is for a good cause (all proceeds go towards the hospital)! Whats not to like?
A few recent improvements have been made too! The building now has heat (hoo-​ray no more shuffling through books in bulky gloves!) and is open on Thursday from 9 – 5.
Be sure to bring a bag for all the books you are going to buy and some cash.
Great place to find the classics for school as well as a wide variety of other things.
When i first discovered it I found myself going back every other week.

The Book Barn is run by Saint Clares Hospital and all proceeds go to benefit Saint Clares Hospital Auxiliary. The fact that is is charity run means that it is entirely staffed by volunteers, and has odd hours– the location is only open 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Given that it is a charity one can also donate books when they stop by if they so wish, but the limit is two bags or boxes per family. Other policies of note is that the Book Barn has gone green, and one should bring their own bags with them, and that the establishment is cash only (although the prices make this more than a moot point).
The staff is made up of volunteers, but all are extremely nice and willing to help. Sometimes the volunteer staff is stretched rather thin, but that is by no means a criticism against them, but it can impact their ability to serve.
The location is right outside of downtown Denville and is a rather large barn like structure that has been given over to used books (the other section of the building called the Bargain Barn is a thrift store). Overall the building the section of the building that contains the book barn is quite large, as is the overflowing collection of books it contains. The location itself does have several issues given the result that it is an old building and therefore has no central air or heat, so in the summer it can get hot and in the winter it can get cold. Please note that this does not adversely effect the condition of the books. I mean I would not pay top dollar for an antique book at this location, but that is not the primary reason anyone is going to stop by this particular used book store. One stops by the Book Barn for a great selection at amazing prices (price chart below).
The book selection itself is quite nice, and is constantly being injected with new life given all the charitable donations. All books are well organized with the main section of the building being devoted to mainstream books and literature, one large attached room devoted to the children’s collection, and two smaller back rooms devoted to Science Fiction/​Fantasy/​Horror, and Poetry/​Short Stories/​Plays respectively. It is highly doubtful that you will leave this place empty handed even if you do not find exactly what you were looking for. A small selection of DVD’s and CD’s can also be found in the main room, but it is truly hit or miss.
The pricing in general is great:
Nigh New Hard Covers = $ 2.00
Older Hard Covers = $ 1.00
Trade Sized Paperbacks = $ 1.00
Mass Market Paperbacks = $ 0.50
CD’s & DVD’s — $ 1.00 & up
Occasionally you may run into a title that is priced otherwise for some reason, but the prices above generally stand. There is also a selection of Antique, Collector, Gift, and Coffee Table books which are priced as marked. It should also be noted that prices are NOT negotiable, so if it is marked higher than you’d like to pay (probably not, but…) let it lie.
Overall if you find yourself wanting to visit a great used book store and happen to be passing through or within driving distance of Denville then I would definitely recommend stopping by The Book Barn, you will not be disappointed in the least, as it is a great opportunity to get some book treasures for you and be charitable at the same time. Just remember they are cash only, and only open on Tuesdays and Satrudays (9 to 1)! Also remember it is an older structure with no heating or air conditioning, so mind the temperature the day you go.