Such an amazing organization and space. Enormous store with books of every type. Very cool mission of donating a book with every book purchased. Book prices are very affordable. Also has space for children and families who want to read. read more

Open Books Pilsen - Books on books! - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have way too many books, physical books, since I read almost exclusively on my kindle at this point. Enter Open Books. Now I started going through books in April 2020, but wasn't keen on interacting with folks, and it took until February 2022 for me to feel comfortable contacting them for pickup. They are experiencing a backlog at the moment--I submitted the pickup form in February, was contacted around March 30, and they came to my area April 19--but I've had these books hanging around for literal years waiting to be donated so a few more weeks was no big deal to me; I mention it only so that if you're on the fence you know to get on their list! Pickup was fairly easy. They don't take books in boxes larger than specific dimensions, so we had to pull them out of the boxes they've been in and out them in plastic bags instead. We ended up with 13 bags filled to the brim! There seemed to be a bit of a mixup, in that the Google form I submitted said I'd have 4 boxes and then when they contacted six weeks later to say they'd be in our neighborhood I said 13 bags since the boxes were too big; the person who came for the pickup mentioned a couple times how this was "not four boxes"... I mean, I'm sorry that there's a disconnect on your end? I checked my email to make sure I hadn't misunderstood, but I did indeed respond to the confirmation email to tell them I'd have 13 bags (their mail asked to confirm the pickup amount). So whatever administrative issue there is where they don't accurately update is annoying but not a problem if my making, and anyway she took them all. I'll definitely continue donating books here or the library (if the library takes books), but probably will take them to one of their drop boxes in the future if I use Open Books. That's in part because I don't want to deal with the kind of weird, somewhat annoyed an hostile attitude from the pickup person, but mostly because I probably won't have a pickup this large again in the future and don't want to have to wait 6-8 weeks for the pickup. read more

Open Books Pilsen - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Open Books is a great place to find books. I love that it's a warehouse because the walls are lined with books and there are many sections. I often donate books rather than buy more. It doesn't have a giant sign on the side. The sign is on the door. Its a black painted building and I almost walked past it. They have great resources for teachers. They often sell books by the bin at cheap prices so teachers can fill their classrooms with books! It is a little dusty inside because some books have been sitting there for a while. Since it's in a warehouse, it doesn't have the open lighting that the one in downtown has. They also periodically have a bunch of sales. It's a good bookstore to wander around for hours and find a new book to read! read more

So many great books at really inexpensive prices. Helpful staff. Some seating. Wonderful place to browse and shop

An incredible not-for-profit that helps spread the importance of literacy is absolutely 5 stars in my family's book. It's a warehouse with an enormous collection of previously loved books, comics, dvds, cds, and vinyl records that are only $1 to $4. All the books are organized in easy to navigate categories. Give yourself some time to browse. The hubby went through the records and my daughter scoured through the junior chapter books. She was so excited seeing books she's read or owns, but was ecstatic to see so many she wanted to add to her own personal collection. She left with 6 books for $6 and gratification knowing that her purchase will fund literacy programs for other kids. read more

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I searched on yelp and found this local bookstore. They sell donated books and all proceeds go to literacy programs. What a great idea and cause. It's pretty sizeable and you just browse. There are some well-known books but also books that I would never have noticed. All the books were cheap: $4 for adult books, $1 for children and $2 for something else (I forgot). I found Casual Vacancy for $4. What a steal! I like that they are helping others and I will be heading back here to support this cause. read more

Open Books Pilsen - Books on books! - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great non profit used bookstore. Huge selection, pretty well organized and great prices. They also have garage sale days where you can get all adult books $2 and all kids books $1. You can also do deals where you can get a full box of books for $40. read more

Open Books Pilsen - Huge selection - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Open Books is a really cool non profit that gives back to the community. You can get some awesome reads for super cheap while helping out some kids in need. I got some Tolstoy books for 2 dollars. Can't argue with that! read more

If you're looking for children's books look no further!! The back of this store has an entire room filled with classic stories and more progressive literature. The owner is very helpful and can talk to you about any topic. I'm going back to check out their library drawers filled with mystery books. read more

This place rules! Huge selection and all proceeds go toward literacy programs. Their retail store on Franklin is my favorite bookstore ever, so when I found out they had a warehouse, it was over! There are parking spots out front and you have to ring the doorbell for service. The staff were really helpful and made sure our first visit was a success. Most books were $3. Fellow high school teachers, there are lots of books that are enough for a class set or singles to add to your library. HUGE children's book selection ranging from $1-$2 and we scored an adorable vintage Winnie the Pooh book set. They take cash or credit. Definitely a gem for used books (and to support a great cause!) read more

I visited for the first time during their recent warehouse sale with great prices: $3 hard covers, $2 paperbacks, $1 children's books or Advanced Reader Copies (ARC's), or fill a box for $40 - $30 for teachers! They're a registered nonprofit for donation purposes, and sponsor schools in the community - awesome! I was so tempted to fill a box despite my best efforts to get rid of books I already have at home, but I managed to limit myself to an armful that I couldn't pass up. I picked up some really good condition copies of all the Game of Thrones books for $2 each, an ARC of a recently released book, and Judy Blume's latest for adults, all for $12! I saw some ARC's so new, the books STILL haven't come out yet! Staff was really nice, commented on the deals I found, and gave me a reusable bag to tote them home in that someone left from an earlier donation. I'll be back! read more

Just left this beautiful warehouse and I am sure I'll be a regular now. I bought 8 books, all adult books which cost $4 each too and came to a total of $36! In comparison to Barnes and Noble were I would have easily spent over $100, I saved a fortunate. read more

Open Books Pilsen - The check out. - Bookstores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was shopping at the Pilsen store today and I could clearly hear the employees joking about how really only about 1% of profits from the sale of donated books go to funding literacy programs. It was around lunchtime and they obviously didn't know or care that someone was in the store and could hear their conversation. The context was that they had just discovered from an online search that the value of a donated book was $200, and that the joke was on the donor. I'll certainly not be donating any books to this "nonprofit." read more

Children book review I love love this place! There are volunteers that work here and books are from donations. The warehouse had a larger selection of children books than the west loop location. The prices were lower. But they didn't accept yelp promotion offered at their other location. They had bilingual books in many languages which was a plus. I didn't find the specific books I was looking for at either location. They didn't have a selection of children books about safety, food and traveling. There was an area for kids to read and play. There were big stuff animals and shape puzzles to play with. It helped occupy my little one from non-stop running all over the store. I was informed by the staff that the founders comes to the store often. The staff was not knowledgeable on the no tax option and gave me the founders contact info. I successfully purchased 60+ children books for $60 for at least a $600 value. The sale taxes was high. It was 9.25%. Board books & soft covers $1 Hardcover & board book sets $2 Adult books $4 table ones are as marked and i came across a children hardcover for $3 so the increase is not much. Please expand to NYC. read more

I love this place! There are so many books, and the prices are so cheap. Kids books for $1 or $2 and everything else is $4. Proceeds go toward literacy programs. This is my new used book happy place! read more

I kind of didn't want to write a review because Open Books Warehouse is like a hidden gem, but they are doing some wonderful work and deserve some props and publicity. I found Open Books Warehouse after searching for a used bookstore so that I could restock my classroom library. Lo and behold, I stumbled upon OBW on Yelp, and although there were only four reviews (before this one), they were glowing reviews; therefore, I knew I had to check it out, especially since it's only five minutes from my place. OBW is in a pretty little residential area of Pilsen. There's plenty of free street parking. As another reviewer mentioned, you have to ring a doorbell. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by an impressive display of ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall bookshelves. Everything is well-organized--from fiction to informational to young children's to YA. From what I could tell, all the books are in good, clean condition. (Usually when I visit used bookstores, the books are dusty or more worn.) I believe all books are $3 or less, and the staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and nice. I believe they accept cash and credit cards (I saw a little Square credit card reader attached to an iPad), but maybe someone else can confirm (or I'll confirm when I visit again). If you're a teacher, please do consider checking out OBW. Also, I believe all/most proceeds go to local literacy programs. They are also open to enlisting more volunteers, which I am contemplating. :) read more

So, yes it's a great bookstore but I was there today with my kids. It looks like the bathroom has not been cleaned for months. Someone had a problem and it was still all over the toilet. Really? This is a public place. And there were no towels for the kids to dry their hands. Great mission but bad hygiene. Can't we have both? read more

This warehouse is full of wonderful books. There is a section for fiction, non fiction and a huge section of children's books! If you're a teacher this place is an extremely valuable resource to you. This place will donate boxes of books for your classroom!!! Books at the warehouse are $3 and under for the most part (most children's books are $1!) The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgable. You MUST check this place out. read more

My first venture to the Open Books Warehouse store was for Gallery Night last Friday. I was prepared for a warehouse setup and this place certainly delivered, as it is choc-a-bloc with a variety of books: children's literature, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, classics, you name it. The setup is comprehensive and it is evident that the staff is knowledgeable and passionate about books. They even made the place extra-cozy for gallery night (think: tea lights in coffee cups against the backdrop of a bookscape--that is a decorating tip I will have to borrow). Next time I will know better than to wear heels; fortunately I had a pair of flats tucked away in my bag so that I could roam among the bookshelves. Since this was my first stop along the art walk, I restrained myself and bought only one book- an Edith Wharton that I hadn't known about. It is discoveries like this that make the warehouse experience memorable, so it is best to go in with an open mind and pocketbook to make the most of it. Bonus: all proceeds of sales benefit Open Books' literacy programs. read more

Open books has a huge selection, great prices and cool environment. They have friendly, helpful staff and sponsor community partnerships with schools and other community groups. read more

Not many book stores south of Taylor street. This is a gem for book lovers, make you way here for a different kind of book store. The prices are great and if you need help ring the bell. No hassle, and all for good cause. If it sound like I'm selling its because the prices can't be beat. The selection maybe not be the greatest but you can't beat the prices and the cause. read more

What a cool little spot. It was a bit hard to find their hours and even their location, but it's worth it. Nice selections pulled out on tables, great spots for kids to curl up while adults check out the stacks. And all for an excellent cause. I love this little secret place! read more