Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Rd — Austin
library.austintexas.gov/recycled-reads-bookstore ✽ @recycledreadstx
Year Opened — 2009
Employees — Our regular staff consists of 3.5 FTE's. We also have the help of 13 awesome volunteers, and sometimes have guest staff members from other Library locations, that help out.
“Great Finds!”
What’s the story of your store’s origin?
Recycled Reads opened its doors in 2009. It replaced the Friends Group of Austin Public Library, which used to hold annual & biannual sales. Instead, we sell books, media, games and puzzles year-round as well as accept donations from the public. By selling these materials at very affordable prices (most materials are sold for $2.00 or less), we not only make it affordable to acquire great books, but we also divert these from the landfill.
What makes your store special?
Recycled Reads is the Austin Public Library's used bookstore. Our main mission is helping the City of Austin push towards its Zero Waste Initiative. We extend the life of materials that Austin Public Library can no longer use, as well as materials donated by the community by re-selling them at incredibly low prices, repurposing them or recycling them.
Recycled Reads is also a creative space. We have hosted Austin Zine Fiends monthly meet-ups, and currently host the Untangled Yarners, a group of fiber arts crafters who get together weekly to learn from each other. We have also hosted a typewriting event, tabletop printing with the Austin Books Arts Center, music classes and musical performances.