Opened in 2002 with a generous bequest from Friends of the Library member Patricia Whitney, the Whitney Book Corner is located at 600 Union St. in Schenectady, just a short block from the Schenectady County Public Library.
The store sells quality used books (most are $2 for hardcover and $1 for paperbacks) as well as used audio books, music CDs and DVDs. Children’s books are $1 or less. It is operated by the Friends of Schenectady County Public Library, and all proceeds benefit the library system.
All the books are either donated to the library or culled from the library discards. A group of dedicated volunteers sorts through the books and picks out the best of the best for the store.
The store is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
On the first Thursday of the month, from 4 to 7 p.m., all books are half priced. Twice a year, the Friends have a huge book sale on the library grounds, offering thousands of additional titles. A smaller sale is held in mid-winter in the McChesney Room of the library.
Over the last thirteen years the store has grown, both in inventory and in the number of clients served.
The Whitney Book Corner provides a valuable service to the community while helping to support many worthwhile programs at the Library – and it keeps good books in circulation, rather than languishing on shelves at home or winding up in landfills. To learn more about our store, please visit us at 600 Union St. in Schenectady, or online at http://whitneybookcorner.org.
