BOOKSTORE

A Novel Idea

There exist three used bookstores in Montgomery County that sell used donated books and old library books.  They are located in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Wheaton; and they are open seven days per week.  The Wheaton bookstore is the largest of the three bookstores, and it is located within the Wheaton Library.  It follows similar hours to the Wheaton Regional Library.  The Gaithersburg bookstore is the newest of the bookstores.  It went into existence just two years ago.  These bookstores are not for profit:  All proceeds go to the Montgomery County Public Libraries.  These bookstores take in more money from the sale of books than they spend on their expenses.  Expenses include employee salaries, utilities, fees for discarded books, and rent.  Since these bookstores never pay anything for their books, prices are extremely low.  Furthermore, since these bookstores are not for profit they are free to charge less than the profit maximizing price.  This also reduces the selling price of the books.  The purpose of the bookstores is not to make the largest profit possible, but instead is to provide the Montgomery County Public Libraries with funds while performing a service for Montgomery County citizens.  These bookstores utilize many volunteers to further lower expenses, therefore reducing prices, and to arrange the bookstores in the most suitable way for the customers.

These bookstores sell books of all kinds.  The two major categories of books are fiction and non-fiction.  Fiction books are divided into multiple categories including mystery, ordinary fiction, science fiction, romance, historical fiction, and classics.  These books are mostly arranged in alphabetical order by author.  Categories of non-fiction books include foreign language, science, cooking, health, religious, biography, history, computer, reference, and business.  These categories are further subdivided.  Non-fiction books are arranged by subject.  Children’s books can be found in each of the bookstores as well.  Some books are sold in sets.  Prices are generally one dollar and fifty cents for paperbacks, two dollars for large paperbacks, and three dollars for hardcover.  Some valuable books are sold at a slightly higher price.  The merchandise is sold so cheaply that dealers purchase and distribute thousands of dollars worth of books.  However, merchandise for sale is not restricted to books.  DVD’s, Cassettes, records, games, puzzles, maps, greeting cards, and C.D.’s are also available for sale.  Tapes cost one dollar per tape.  C.D.’s are sold for three dollars.  Comic books and records can be purchased for one dollar, and they have been sale priced at fifty cents in the past.

There are many reasons for a person to read including as an outlet from the hardships of life, as a means for obtaining information, as a way to improve either your vocabulary or your reading comprehension, or as a way to experience certain aspects of life when financial or other limitations prevent that person from having such experiences.  Friends of the Library is a reader’s paradise; it is well organized; has a large variety of books and other merchandise available to the public, and sells books more cheaply than any other bookstore.

By Michael K.