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inside store

Recycled Reads Bookstore

512-974-7460
5335 Burnet Rd.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am-7:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm

You make Recycled Reads sustainable!

Recycled Reads is a part of the Austin Public Library system. The Library used book store receives all of Austin Public Library's weeded material, as well as donations from the public. We sell, recycle or repurpose this material, and all our proceeds benefit the Austin Public Library

Sales:
We sell books, recorded material, art, ephemera, games, puzzles and more! Most of our items are priced $2 and under. Please visit our 5,000 square foot bookstore to find your next treasure.

Donation Information

Volunteer for the bookstore or get more information about volunteering for the Austin Public Library.

For additional inquiries, please contact us at:
Donations: recycled.reads@austintexas.gov

The Recycled Reads Bookstore is located in Council District 7 of the City of Austin.

About Recycled Reads

About Recycled Reads link

Since opening its doors in 2009,  Recycled Reads has focused on its main mission of helping the City of Austin push towards its Zero Waste Initiative. We extend the life of materials weeded from the Austin Public Library and donated by the community. On average we process over 20 tons of material each month. As of our 10th Anniversary in 2019, Recycled Reads had diverted over 3,600 tons of material from landfills.

Recycled Reads has a small staff and greatly relies on our awesome and dedicated volunteers. We cannot offer our services without those who perform the daily operations of bringing in donations, sorting, shelving, and other projects.

In 2014, we completed a project partially funded by an Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) Sparks! Ignition Grant for Libraries to encourage libraries to adopt more sustainable weeding and disposal practices in a project called Sprouting Green Weeding Practices Web-Based Training.

Donations

Donations link

  • Anytime during open business hours - 2 grocery bags or standard boxes (e.g., copy paper or banker's) or less
  • All other by appointment only: recycled.reads@austintexas.gov
  • We are not able to pick up donations.

The bookstore accepts:

  • All printed material except for magazines
  • CDs and LPs
  • DVDs and Blu-Rays
  • Art and ephemera
  • Complete board games and puzzles
  • VHS
  • Audio Cassettes

Please call 512-974-7463 if you have other specific items to donate.

The bookstore does not accept:

  • Magazines

We cannot accept materials that are insect infested or moldy. Donated items should be in sturdy grocery or reusable bags (no trash bags), or standard or smaller sized boxes (e.g., copy paper, banker's) that you do not need returned.

For security reasons, we only accept donations during open business hours and by appointment. We are not allowed to touch items abandoned outside of our doors. To make an appointment, email us at: recycled.reads@austintexas.gov

Monetary Donations:

  • We do accept monetary donations in addition to the items listed above. All proceeds benefit the Austin Public Library.
  • We offer tax receipts for all donations.

Recycled Reads Frequently Asked Questions

Recycled Reads Frequently Asked Questions link

Will you buy my books?

Recycled Reads only accepts materials by donation in support of the Austin Public Library.

I know of an excellent cause. Do you donate to other organizations?

No, as per City policy, we cannot donate materials.

Do teachers / educators receive discounts?

No, as part of a City department, we must offer the same prices and services to all customers. Our prices include sales tax. If you have a Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certification or Permit, please bring a physical copy, and we will be happy to deduct the sales tax from your total.

What is your pricing policy?

We sell books, recorded material, art, ephemera, games, puzzles and more! Most of our materials are priced $2 and under. We can offer such great prices for our community because our mission is to extend the life of materials, and we receive such a high volume. We also have specially priced rare, ephemera and collectible items (we do not negotiate prices). 

Our prices include sales tax. If you have a Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certification or Permit, please bring a physical copy and we will be happy to deduct the sales tax from your total.

All sales are final.

Prices*
*except specially priced items

$2

  • Adult hardcover books (including adult graphic novels)
  • Specially marked vintage books
  • Some board games

$1

  • Adult softcover "trade paperback" books (including adult graphic novels)
  • Spiral & staple bound books for adults
  • Single cd's, dvd's, audio books
  • Most puzzles
  • Ephemera

50¢

  • Children's books (including junior & young adult fiction)
  • Mass market paperbacks
  • Manga and staple bound comic books
  • Vinyl records, cassettes, vhs tapes,
  • Maps

25¢

  • Staple bound children's books
  • Children's board books
  • Single song sheet music
  • Single cards, bookmarks
  • Empty dvd/cd cases

Please visit our 5,000 square foot bookstore to find your next treasure.

What is "weeding"?

Weeding is a term used in the library world to describe the removal of materials from a collection. When library material is damaged, outdated or simply not being used, library staff must make decisions to cull the collection to make room for new material. Librarians use many different guidelines for determining what to weed from their collections.

Can I return my library materials to you?

No, we cannot accept returns of library materials. Please visit one of the two closest branches, Yarborough or North Village to return items. Here is a list of all Austin Public Library locations.

Do you have computers, printers, copiers or meeting rooms for public use?

No, we do not offer these services. Please visit one of the two closest branches, Yarborough or North Village to return items. Here is a list of all Austin Public Library locations.

Why are your hours different from the libraries?

We have a very small staff and greatly rely on our awesome and dedicated volunteers. We cannot offer our services without those who perform the daily operations of bringing in donations, sorting, shelving, and other projects.

Can I volunteer?

We strive to match your skills and interests with our needs and have a diverse program that reflects our community. Positions are open to all individuals who meet the qualifications. We will contact applicants who have the skills and experience required for an interview.

Volunteer duties involve unloading and carrying boxes, sorting materials, shelving, tidying the sales floor, and customer service.

This position requires ability to push carts up to 75 lbs., to bend, stoop, and stretch, and to work with office equipment. We seek applicants with previous experience working in retail, library, bookstore and warehouse / stocking environments. Shifts are 2-4 hours with a minimum six-month commitment.

At this time, Recycled Reads does not offer positions for community service requirements.

Please see our open opportunities

Do you have any upcoming events or sales?

Please see our calendar for programs and sales.

Events