Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
6 spots in the Huntsville area to score great deals on used books + support public libraries
Reading time: 3 minutes
Where do you look when you want to pick up a fun hobby, add recipes to your repertoire or escape into a fictional world? While YouTube, Netflix and Google are all fine answers, I am here to recommend you occasionally revert to the old way with books, specifically used books.
Fortunately, we have several used book rooms and weekly sales at libraries in Huntsville and throughout the area.
Read on for a few places in Huntsville, Madison, Athens and Decatur where you can browse used books and support local libraries at the same time.
Why shop for used books?
It truly is about curiosity in used bookstores. Like thrifting, you never know what you’ll find. It could be a classic you’ve been meaning to read, a comfort food cookbook with a mama’s notes in the margins or a home decor how-to from the ’60s that still holds up.
For me, it’s the pleasure of taking back some control of curating life when algorithms have taken over so much of it. While there’s room for both, it feels important to slow down and be mindful about letting curiosity lead the experience. Exploring bookshelves, skimming pages and leaving with something unexpected can be as satisfying as the actual reading.
Plus, it’s free to look and almost free to buy, especially during sales on prices that are already super low. Meanwhile, it’s more meaningful than bargain hunting when you support your library’s used book sales, which help fund programs and services.
See below for where to go and what to know.
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library used book sales
📚 Downtown Friends of the Library (FOL) Bookstore
- Where: 915 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801 (to the left, just inside the main entrance)
- When: Monday, Noon-3PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Noon-6PM; Friday, Noon-4PM; Saturday, 10AM-4PM
- Sales: FOL 25-Cent Sales, 2x annually (see website for dates); 1/2 Price Sale for FOL members only, monthly on fifth Saturdays, except
- More Info
📖 South Huntsville Friends of the Library Bookstore
- Where: 7901-L Bailey Cove Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
- When: Monday-Friday, 10AM-4PM; Saturday, 10AM-2PM; Sunday, 1PM-4PM
- More Info
🔖 Helen P. Lee Bookstore @ Madison Public Library
- Where: 142 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL 35758
- When: Monday-Friday, 10AM-4PM; Saturday, 10AM-2PM; Sunday, 1PM-4PM
- More Info
📗 New Hope Public Library FOL Bookstore
- Where: 5398 Main Dr Suite A, New Hope, AL 35760
- When: Monday-Friday, 11AM-6PM; Saturday, 11AM-3PM
- More Info
Decatur + Athens-Limestone library book sales
📘 Decatur Public Library Friends Used Book Sale Room
- Where: 504 Cherry St NE, Decatur, AL 35601
- When: Monday + Wednesday, 10AM-Noon + 2-5:45PM; Tuesday + Thursday 10AM-5:45PM; Friday, 10AM-4:45PM; Saturday, 10AM-3:45PM
- Sale: Everything is 50% off through June 30, 2025! Original prices are marked on the inside front covers of books.
- More Info
📕 Athens-Limestone Public Library Friends of the Library Book Sales
- Where: 603 S Jefferson St, Athens, AL 35611
- When: Tuesdays, 10AM-2PM; First Saturday Book Sales monthly, 9AM-1PM
- More Info
🧭 Map below for easy wayfinding:
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