currently THOUSANDS OF GENTLY USED BOOKS, CDS, AND DVDS ALL FOR $6 AND UNDER!
One of our most unique ways we raise funds is through our own used bookstores and pop-up shops called Carpe Librum (“Seize the Book”) where we sell gently used books, CDs and DVDs donated to us by the community. These pop-ups are an extra opportunity to engage the community at large to learn more about our programs, schools, and communities we work in.
While the origins of Carpe Librum are rooted in storefront pop-ups, we’ve expanded to include single-day events all over the city. We bring tens of thousands of books to our “bookstore in a day” pop-up sales, which in turn brings hundreds of people out to buy books and create a fun, exciting, community-focused event.
We bring a wide range of book genres like fiction, classics, biographies, world history, social science, religion, picture books, young adult books, and more. We are able to set up early in the day for people to browse books in the morning and all afternoon. As the sun starts to set, we start to pack up and leave the area as clean as we found it. A mix of staff and volunteers allow us to run our operation as smoothly as possible.
We partner with local organizations to bring Carpe Librum all over DC. These groups include WashREIT, Capitol Riverfront, Georgetown Main Street, Rose Park Farmer’s Market, Woodley Park Main Street, The Adams Morgan BID, Van Ness Main Street, SW BID, Logan Circle Main Street, and more.
POP-UP LOCATIONS
Our indoor pop-up location at 1350 I St NW (on the corner of 14th and I) is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12pm-6pm.
HOW TO DONATE
If you would like to donate books, CDs, DVDs, or vinyl records, we accept donations of any genre and for all ages with the exception of encyclopedias, magazines or journal publications, textbooks 10 years or older, and VHS or cassette tapes.
Please note that we can currently accept donations packed in bankers boxes measuring 10” x 12” x 15”.
Schedule a book pickup for five or more boxes from your home or business at no cost to you. Send an email to books@turningthepage.org for more information. We will also accept donations at pop-up sales and our indoor pop-up location at 1350 I St NW.
BOOKSHOP
Carpe Librum is now on Bookshop.org, an independent retailer with a mission to support independent bookstores. When you buy a book using our affiliate link, we earn a 30% commission on the sale. Now, you can get brand new books while helping to sustain our programs engaging public school parents! Browse staff picks, curated book lists, and more.
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