Staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. The store is quaint and filled wall-to-wall, which makes a nice atmosphere. These booksellers are not judgmental people and will give you the same level of service no matter who you are. The selection is super, especially considering the size of the space. Anything they do not have can be ordered for you, often for a better or the same price as amazon or B&N. Support your local bookstores! Great people and a great business. read more

Love a small, local bookstore with plenty of book lovers around to make recommendations and answer questions. The staff picks are a nice assortment. Focus on books for all ages and a great little jigsaw puzzle section. Seating for a few folks always available. read more

We went to Otto Bookstore on 3/7/25. First Friday. A jazz band was playing that was amazing! This bookstore is a shell of itself. When Betsy Rider it was the owner it was a true bookstore. Alissa and Nancy were amazing. Liberal Arts and literature was in their blood! The windows always looked gorgeous! They always had suggestions even outside of what they had on the shelves! They truly loved books! This new guy is rude. His staff is rude. Books are not what they are about. Maybe graphic novels because there are several sections of that. While there is a place for those, we need to get this bookstore level back up to where it was. I wish i could give 0 stars. read more

Every time I've entered Ottos I've had a fantastic experience. The staff are wonderful, the selection is outstanding, the shop is so tidy. I find everything from postcards and stuffed animals to books of every type. They even have a rewards program and send a coupon for your birthday. read more

I went there ever since I can remember, and I loved it. The workers could always help you find what you wanted, the selection was great, and it just had a cozy feel to it; but in the past few months, everything changed. The old staff was replaced. The new employees seemed like they really didn't care, and like you were wasting their time. The selection became more generic, with less local books. Overall, it lost its magic. read more

Loved this charming bookstore. Great book selection and cards plus kids books. So many I wanted to buy. read more

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Very convenient downtown. Friendly and attentive people willing to help you find what you need

What a great bookstore! The selection as well as the atmosphere is terrific. To top it off, the lady in there was so friendly and kind. We stopped by late in the day but she reopened the store just so we could browsed around with the kids. We ended up getting a few books and totes. This is the best bookstore! read more

Otto Bookstore - Children's section - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Beautiful store - warm, friendly staff. Wonderful place to get lost among the incredible selection of books. Nicely kept, they had an amazing wide range in every genre to entice you. Well worth the your time ! read more

Lots of variety, kids and adults books - gives recommendations and trending book club reads. Happy to stumble upon this on our trip!

What a great local bookstore. I love the personal service, the way they remove the price stickers and offer wrapping. There's always a wonderful selection of gift items, I love to buy small gifts for friends here. And boy do they know their books :) read more

There aren't many bookstores around the Williamsport area. This is a small one, and has what they should have, namely: character. There is no economics section, which is a drawback for me. But the current events one is really good, and has a fair share of books by progressive authors. History sessions are fine too. If you like bookstores this is it around here. Staff is really nice and they have a paperback book club card (meaning you get rewards after a few purchases). read more

Otto Bookstore - Buying a new book on Amazon, Facebook and Google and how free market libertarians preside over monopolies that control our lives - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Williamsport, Pennsylvania

I was amazed to discover that Otto's is one of the five-oldest bookstores in the U.S. (ca. 1841). There's an interesting history on their web site, btw. It's a decent-sized place and their childrens' book section is particularly good. They also have lots of books on sale and they have a terrific card section. The staff were pleasant, too. read more

They had what I needed today so that was nice. But the staff all seem somewhat annoyed when customers walked through the door. Low energy level in store- I paid and the girl took forever to count the change then thrust the change and receipt at me. No "thanks for coming in today"... no smile and " hope to see you soon...". At least Amazon says thank you when an order is placed read more

Wonderful independent bookstore in downtown Williamsport. I don't believe they specialize in any category, but you can find books on a variety of topics from vegetarian cooking to Elvis. Modest selection of photography and art books. There are many bargain books, many that are generously discounted. Some books are signed by their authors. I would visit again. read more

Otto's reminds me of some of my favorite bookstores here in Chicago. I love that it's not a chain and their customer service is fantastic. They have a broad selection and if they don't have what you're looking for, they'll order it for you. And Alissa is a true gem. read more

A fantastic place to be, and the heart and jewel of Downtown Williamsport. Wonderful selections, excellent staff, a great layout, and a warm presence. An excellent way to support local business. read more

These people love books. No, it's more than that, they are fanatical book afficianados. And they love real books. With pages, and that wonderful sound when you first open it and the spine cracks. All kinds of books--no topic too large or too small. their tastes are catholic (universal) and democratic (everyone should have a voice). I think we have all been so conditioned to the big box bookstore experience we tend to forget what a real book store is like. They call them independent bookstores now--it means more than not being a wholly owned subsidiary. It means independence of thought and ideas. So you find things you haven't seen before. Little gems tucked up on shelves. I can still find this in used bookstores. But to find such a gem that sells new, current books was a delight. I can't wait to go back. read more

When I come home to the Port, I always have to stop into Otto's. I remember when it was much smaller and down the street. I think this is where my love of reading flourished. The staff is very knowledgeable and always helpful. They have a great selection including some local authors and books. It was one of the first places I took my hubby to when we came home for a visit. read more

Otto's is the quintessential book nook for the lover of words and print.

We go to a lot of bookstores, small and large, and this is a great one. I love discovering new titles and Otto's had many that I'd never seen before. Children's section is especially strong. Plus, the shopkeeper helped mind our toddler while we browsed. One of the best store experiences we've had in a long time! read more

One of my favorite finds after moving to Williamsport. Knowledgeable staff and unique books you don't typically see at large chains.

The tag line Otto's uses is "A Book Lovers Paradise" this is true...if you were in 1801 which I think is when most of their stock is from. While I give this place credit for hanging in there, it is really not a nice place to shop. Very limited selection and just a small, dingy layout. The staff, which can be aloof at times rave about how they can order millions of book choices online. Like, Hello! I can do that right from my phone cheaper. This is an OK place to buy their $1 or $2 books but thats about it. The owner has a bit of an attitude and acts like the town should only be allowed to have one bookstore...here. She is probaly why the colleges in town do not bring a Barnes and Noble to the city. Stop in for cheap sidewalk books for a buck or two and head down to Bam or Barnes and Noble in Lewisburg for a real book lovers paradise. read more

This is truly THE gem of downtown williamsport (okay, co-honors with the Bullfrog brewery). Otto's represents the very best of the independent bookstore tradition. Long-term, extremely knowledgable and friendly staff. Otto's have a long long history, but don't expect a dim, disorganized store. Professional, and not enormous, Otto's have an excellent selection of local and regional interest, and a quality selection of literary fiction not often anymore. Bargain books, signed books, and an excellent selection of children's books round out the highlights of this fabulous little bookstore. read more

I wouldn't recommend going here, and honestly I would give it a lower rating because I was so turned off by the attitude of someone I was on the phone with. I didn't even go in the store I was so unhappy. I simply called and asked if they could tell me if they had the book I was looking for, and when I told them the name of the author and the title of the book the response I got was "I'm gonna see if someone else can understand what you're saying".... I immediately hung up because I was taken by surprise at the response and so agitated with the way I was spoken to. read more

I've never written a Yelp review before because I've never felt happy or mad enough to do so...until today. This LOCAL store has the most thoughtful person ever working for them. My Mom shops at this bookstore periodically & while she was there doing some Christmas shopping the woman behind the counter asked who she was shopping for. Her Granddaughters my Mom replied. "BookWoman" got so excited to learn of my mom's granddaughters (my daughters) that she insisted on buying them a book about Sisters. Yes. A complete stranger bought a beautiful book for my daughters without knowing any of us, not even my Mom who shops there sometimes. I guess you could say that it's a heartwarming reminder to SHOP LOCAL & support small businesses. If you live in the area I hope you shop here, even if you do have to pay a dollar or two more than Wal-Mart. What a gem you have in Williamsport! Thank you BookWoman (as she signed in the book). I will pay it forward & hope the Universe repays you tenfold! read more