How to Find Used Book Stores

The Internet has made it far easier to find used and rare books, but there's still nothing like finding a real, three-dimensional used book store. There’s a certain ambiance to an antiquarian book store that makes finding the unusual book that much more enjoyable. Because so many of these book stores have switched completely to the Internet, it is harder to find them than it used to be. That just makes the hunt more fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Used and antiquarian books usually can be found together.

   Go to a used book stores in your neighborhood. Talk to the owner or the clerk. While sometimes they might be reluctant to give information about their competitors, most of the time they will be glad to help. Most used booksellers know many of the other people in their business because they meet them at shows or estate sales.

2. Check the Internet for actual stores. Often a given area will be listed, plus Google has a special feature that will locate used book stores within your zip code (see Resources below). It’s a good idea to call the stores before going, because they may not still be in business, or they may have changed their hours since being listed. Some also are “by appointment only” establishments in a dealer’s home.

3. Drive or walk around the older sections of cities. They usually won’t be in new strip malls or regular malls, and will tend to be on streets filled with older businesses.

4. Search for dealers on eBay or abeboooks.com. Frequently, they will list where their physical stores are located. Some may be far away, but others may be right down the street (see Resources below).

5. 
   There is nothing like the touch and aroma of old books.

   Go to any antiquarian book shows in your area. Most booksellers from a wide region will have booths there. They can provide you both with a sense of what books they carry in stock and can tell you how to get to their stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Always call to get directions for stores off the beaten path.
• Used book dealers who still have a store you can walk into are passionate about books. They often will look for rare books for you even if they don’t have them in stock.

Resources

• Use Google's special search feature to find used book stores in your zip code.
• Abebooks.com has listings of local used book stores.