Our mission is to put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them. A new chapter for the book thing for more than 17 years russell wattenberg has catered to thousands of hungry minds. The maryland book bank is a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating literacy in children from underresourced neighborhoods. Baltimore restore a low cost home improvement resale store that generates revenue.
Book thing of baltimore inc baltimore city baltimore. We planned our arrival in baltimore, md, around visiting this book store as it is only open on the weekends. The book thing is hands down the best place i have ever been to. For bibliophiles on a budget the book thing is based on a radical concept that everyone should have access to good books no matter how little money they have. The book thing is a shining beacon of the principles of reuse and community building. The book thing, a popular place to get free books, hopes to return as soon as possible after undergoing some restructuring. This is a story about loving something so much you. After 20 years of providing freetoall books to the bibliophiles of baltimore, the book thing has started a new chapter in its own story. The book thing of baltimore lost its nonprofit status and will be temporarily shutting down after the new year, according to a statement posted to. I have been reading it for a while but in the last 2 days i have completely devoured every word of it. The book thing 3001 vineyard ln baltimore, md book stores. Baltimores book thing loses taxexempt status, will temporarily shut down. View all hotels near the book thing of baltimore on tripadvisor. The book thing of baltimore 2020 all you need to know.
Baltimore book warehouse reopens after fire last yeara beloved baltimore book warehouse has officially reopened. It was a place to drop off used books or pick up something new to read for free, now the book thing in baltimore needs to be rebuilt after an early morning fire wednesday left the donationbased bookstore severely damaged. Baltimores book thing loses taxexempt status, will temporarily shut. The book thing in baltimore is a charity that gives away free books. But it will be an honor to be the first, and give it five glowing stars.
City fire department spokesman samuel johnson said crews responded to the fire. Book thing of baltimore inc the book thing of baltimore, inc. Russell wattenberg executive director the book thing. The first time i went in i was impressed with the selection of books and how they were arranged by topicarea of interest. The book thing of baltimore started out in the back of owner russell wattenbergs van. Vernon mainstay doughertys, where he used to tend bar, called it. This organization has not appeared on the irs business master file in a number of months. Executive director at the book thing of baltimore, inc. He runs a baltimore outfit called the book thing, which is not a library or.
It is reopening on saturday following a bad fire in march of 2016. The book thing was incorporated by a board of neighborhood volunteers. The book thing reopens on saturday after a fire damaged. The book thing is open on weekends and is run by around 30 volunteers. It was created and is operated by russel wattenberg, a former bartender who was inspired to create a system for distributing books to impoverished students. This organization primarily operates in the used merchandise stores business industry within the miscellaneous retail sector. The book thing of baltimore is a 501c nonprofit charity, located in baltimore, maryland. After fire, locals donate thousands of books to charity in. Russell definitely deserves a break, and all credit to everything he has done to make the book thing what it is today, but the book thing could use a change of leadership, i think. This is an interview with the executive director of the book thing of baltimore, inc.
The book thing of baltimore 3001 vineyard ln, baltimore, maryland 21218 rated 4. Business profile for book thing of baltimore inc in baltimore, maryland. The book thing of baltimore 2020 all you need to know before. It may have merged with another organization or ceased operations. Hsbc donates books to the book thing of baltimore the. Best 20 rare and used book dealers in baltimore, md by. Baltimores book thing loses taxexempt status, will. After a month of being completely cutoff from reading and blogging the baltimore boys was the perfect first book to start my summer filled with amazing toberead books. Know baltimore students audiences student outreach. Russell calls this the book thing, because its not a library, and its definitely not a store. And if you take away fewer than 10, the proprietor says, youre not caught up in the giveandtake spirit of the book thing of baltimore inc.
I have a group that looks forward to the book thing. The book thing has been nurturing readers since 1999, when russell wattenberg, who arrived in baltimore somewhat by accident, turned his hobby of collecting books and giving them away into a fulltime thingrussells book thing, as the patrons at the former mt. When i first heard about this place on instagram, i didnt believe that all the books are. Book thing operates in a novel fashion baltimore sun. The book thing bookstores 3001 vineyard ln, abell, baltimore, md. Heres what to know when planning a visit to baltimores freetoall bookshop.
Most are in residential homes who dont give them library access so this is their way to obtain books with no risk of fees. The book thing was unsophisticated in appearance, but functional a space of giveandtake wattenberg estimated that the book thing gave away 400,000 to 500,000 books a year when it was active. We will keep our website and facebook updated to let you know when well. As a result of what founder russell wattenburg started after volunteering to help teachers, each patron may take up to 150,000 books a day every saturday and sunday. Find the best baltimore, md rare and used book dealers on superpages. The book thing starts next chapter under new management. Donations received during this process may be ineligible for tax exemptions.
The smell of old paper and worn books drifts through the open door of the book thing of baltimore, inc. The book thing of baltimore inc 500 recommendations. Donations how to donate books andor money book donations unfortunately, we are not currently accepting book donations. Today, its a fourroom warehouse where anyone can walk in. Book thing of baltimore inc in baltimore, md business. The book thing was unsophisticated in appearance, but functional a space of giveandtake wattenberg estimated that the book thing gave away 400,000 to. View russell wattenbergs profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. The book thing of baltimore wants people to have books.
Our after hours donation bin will be closedunavailable. Find book dealers used and rare in baltimore, md on yellowbook. The book thing 3001 vineyard ln baltimore md 21218. To put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them. Today, the society donated hundreds of remaining books from its used book sale to a good cause the book thing of baltimore, inc the book thing of baltimore gives away books, free of charge, to anyone desiring them teachers, schools and the general public. The book thing of baltimore 3001 vineyard ln, baltimore. The book thing of baltimore bookstore baltimore, maryland 319. All the books you take have to be stamped, not for resale. Due to our hibernation, we are not currently accepting book donations. Today, its a fourroom warehouse where anyone can walk in, take as many books as they want and walk out. Ac fundraiser the book thing of baltimore powered by. How giving away free books became a baltimore institution.
Temporarily closed 3001 vineyard lane baltimore, md 21218. Freecycle baltimore offer, take and request free items in our local community. After fire, locals donate thousands of books to charity in maryland. Founder of the book thing in baltimore stepping reddit. There are thousands to choose from, in paperbacks as well as hardbacks. The book thing of baltimore is a 501c nonprofit charity, located in baltimore, maryland, united states, created in september 1999 for the purpose of giving away books. Baltimore city fire crews responded to a fire at the book thing warehouse on tuesday morning. Any books or boxes left in the parking lot will result in a.
By maryellen davis baltimore watchdog staff writer. Book thing of baltimore inc in baltimore, md 21218. The book thing of baltimore inc in baltimore, md get driving directions to 3001 vineyard ln baltimore, md 21218. Russell wattenberg at the book things temporary home near waverly. Librarything local covers bookstores and libraries, and book events of. Its not exactly a store since all the books are free so i. The book thing gives books opportunity to find new homes. Browsers wandering into the chockfull basement are.
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