The Book Corner

Philadelphia, United States

4.8

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 215-567-0527
Address:
311 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Spring Garden, Fairmount, Penn Center, Art Museum District, Logan Square
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 mi23rd St & Race St
0.4 mi23rd St & Arch St
0.5 mi19th Street
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Philadelphia) 04:37 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Book Corner was established in 1991 as a program of the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate for library services for city residents in every neighborhood. We offer an eclectic selection of new, rare, out-​of-​print, and quality used, publicly donated books. At a savings of 60 to 90% off list price, the stock is renewed daily and consists of a wide variety of books, records, videos, and CDs in all genres.

History

Established in 1991.

Book Corner is a program of the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate for library services for city residents in every neighborhood.

We are grateful to area readers who donate over 50,000 titles to us each year. In addition to filling our sales shelves, we distribute 10,000 books back to the public each year through our Books for Friends program, which provides free books for organizations and schools; and we recycle roughly 12,000 books annually through Philadelphia’s recycling system.

We have a vast collection, ranging from well-​loved to nearly-​new. At a savings of 60 to 90% off list price, the stock is renewed daily and consists of a wide variety of books, records, videos, and CDs in all genres including many rare and out-​of-​print titles. Come browse our stacks and take home a treasure.

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20 reviews of The Book Corner

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
They have a much larger selection than I expected, and so many cheap books in great condition. My new go-​to Philly bookstore!
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
For used books in Philadelphia, do not overlook this store operated by the Friends of the Free Library (the Free Library’s fundraising arm). They have a great pricing system — $ 3 for hardcover then $ 1-​$ 2 for paperbacks. That’s for ALL the books in the store. In other words, probably one of the least expensive used bookstores in the region, if not the country.
This bookstore is of a substantial size, yet the books are well organized. On my most recent visit, I found them stocking a good selection of hardcover books in «almost new» condition. Years ago, the rumor was that Philadelphia Inquirer book reviewers would donate their review copies to this store, so they always seem to have very good condition copies of newly published books. Don’t know if that’s true, but it’s consistent with what I often see on their shelves. Also, I’ve always found the volunteers who staff the bookstore to be pleasant and helpful.
Some of their rarer, more collectible books are offered for sale online, via
. I don’t believe they have those books readily available in the store for perusal, but if I recall correctly, I was told during a recent visit that they will fetch any title for examination prior to purchase.
Oh, and yes, they also have the obligatory book store cat (s).
Buy a book, support the Free Library!
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
We took a drive to visit several Philadelphia used bookstores today for the first time (coming from the NYC area). This store was the only one that I found a handful of books that were reasonably priced. The other stores were all pretty much near each other, such as The Book Trader, Port Richmond and Mostly Books. These other stores were overpriced (especially Port Richmond) and the books were frequently grimy. Of course, it’s fun to browse, but the prices kept me from just about all purchases that I otherwise would have gotten for a few dollars less (or in the case of Port Richmond… many, many dollars less). If I’m going to spend $ 50 or more on books I want my money’s worth, not just in condition but in quantity, too. The Book Corner probably has a quickly revolving stock and the prices meant more books for the money. If we go back to Philly, I would visit here again, but the stores mentioned above I will skip in favor of some other stores we couldn’t get to this trip.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
Great used bookstore with a large selection and cheap prices: hardcover $ 3, paperback $ 2, mass markets $ 1. Worth stopping by if you are in the area.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
They definitely sell books here
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
This is a tremendous bookstore. Hardcover $ 3, paperback $ 2, mass markets $ 1. There is a large collection of varying material. Their turnover is pretty good so you can check back every week or two to find different books. I have bought several almost new books here and have been very happy with the quality and quantity offered. There’s a good atmosphere, friendly employees, and stacks of organized books. Oh, and some friendly cats. Great place to stop for some cheap, good-​quality books. I believe they have some movies, too. This is probably the best bookstore I have encountered.
Place rating: 5
Carson, CA
Was in Philly for the day, decided to stop by. Wish I had more time to really go through the bins on records + books. Picked up a good assortment all at great price$.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Very large selection at very low prices. What more could you want in a used bookstore? Now, a lot of the books don’t seem to be worth much more than a dollar or two, but their inventory rotates very quickly, so if you come back often you can find some real gems.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Love this place, been going there for years, great people, great prices. I use to attend a poetry group that met there back in the day! Highly recommended!
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
Pluses: supercheap and an oddball variety of books. Low overhead (books donated, space donated? by the Free Library), low costs. Radically egalitarian: all books are the same price: $ 1, $ 3, $ 4, regardless of status.
Minuses: Many sections are in no sort of order: sociology, religion, politics are a chaotic jumble. Books are chronically mis-​shelved and the «to be shelved» books are laying around, tempting, but stacked on each other making for difficulty snooping. One of the workers plays painful music on his tinny smartphone making for an unpleasant experience to all but himself, apparently.
In sum: Don’t expect to find what you’re looking for, but you will be pleasantly surprised with all that you do find!
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
From the street this does indeed look like a tiny corner bookstore. However, this store is huge and contains and additional two gigantic rooms full of books at great prices. The books are extremely well organized, the store is well lit, with plenty of room to move around, and their selection is fantastic. Sometimes thrift bookstores are full of the obvious discards that nobody wants even as a second hand book. Not this place. It is great. And, how can you beat the prices:
Mass market — $ 2
Paperback — $ 3
Hardback — $ 4
Is it possible to experience all that goodness and have your money go to a good cause? Why yes it is. The money raised through the stores supports the Philadelphia Free Library, making any purchase here utterly satisfying. I could gush more about this store but think I will conclude.
Place rating: 5
Buffalo, NY
This used book store has a resident cat!!! And it’s adorable and friendly and covered with dirt and dust. NEED I SAY MORE??? 5 stars earned right there!
I’m serious about the cat. But I’m also serious about how awesome this bookstore is. One of the largest used book selections I’ve ever seen. You may have to search for a while to find a genuinely *good* book, as the stacks have been picked over by so many people and a lot of the good titles have been snatched up. But you’re guaranteed to find a couple gems.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
Nice little used store with tons of books organized by topic and then alphabetically. I found a couple books on testimonios of participants in the Central American national liberation movements of the late 20th century in the Spanish language section.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
What a fun place to shop! Cute cat! Nice selection! Very helpful staff and so genuine.
The man with floppy hair devoted so much time to me that poor guy I felt bad but I needed help picking out gifts in a new store.
A lot of sex books, but hey I don’t judge! A great supply of kids as adults as well.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
The Book Corner is great and well organized. It is open during the day, so if you have a 9 – 5 job it is hard to go during the week; however, they are open on Saturdays.
I just donated books to them, so they requested that you donate early in the day and not an hour before they close. If you have a lot to donate (4 boxes) call ahead for an appointment. I like donating them to because it benefits the free library, which is a great asset to the city of Philadelphia.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
This place is deceptively small. I almost willing to swear that it is bigger on the inside, like The TARDIS. You almost need a GPS and hire a Sherpa guide. I kept finding rooms with books in them, I’ll have to go back several times to see it all.
It is located at 20th and Wood Streets, behind the Free Library of Philadelphia.
This store and another on Chestnut Street are run by the Friends of the Free Library.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
If I could live here, I would.
You have three price ranges: $ 1, $ 2, $ 3, that’s it. There’s something to be said about simplicity.
The store is well-​labeled, which I appreciate; I’d rather not dig through a bunch of books in order to find what I’m looking for.
The guy working the register was super nice and his cat hangs out on the counter, probably for all the extra attention it gets when people purchase their cheap finds.
I love this place. I love books. Philly needs more places like Book Corner.
Place rating: 5
Astoria, Queens, NY
It’s like the Tardis — this place is bigger on the inside.
Rows and rows and tons of books, arranged by topic and (sort of) then in alphabetical order. Unlike the used bookstores of my current town (I’m looking at you, Strand) this stuff is cheap. $ 3/​$ 2/​$ 1 for hard covers, paperbacks and other stuff. Stuff you actually want to read.
The man behind the counter was very nice, gave some nice recommendations about the area, and was the first person ever to ask me where I was from based on my accent.
If I lived in Philly I would be here constantly.
Place rating: 4
Alhambra, CA
Hemingway hardcover book.
Emerson.
The White Tiger.
50 Great Artists.
It was around $ 7. The most you’ll pay is 3 dollars, which is the cost of a hardcover book. They have a good selection, not the best, but enough to satisfy its diverse customers. They accept credit card!
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
I stumbled on this place by mistake one day and was completely shocked at what’s inside the unassuming little building.
BOOKS. SO MANY BOOKS.
And, unlike a lot of other ‘used book stores’ in Philly, they’re cheap. Most things are under $ 3, and it’s all stuff you want to read, not just the racks and racks of 50 cent romance novel paperbacks.
The people who work here are super nice and very passionate about books (based on what other reviews are saying, they’re volunteers, which explains this). Definitely worth going out of your way for.