Join BCinDC
If you are new to the Washington, DC, Metro area, join our Group on Groups.io for discussion & event information. You can also find us on Facebook.
Contact

Free/Trade Shelves

Here is a list of free/trade shelves where one might leave/exchange books in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. If you know of a place that should be on this list, please contact us or just leave a reply on this page.

 

St Elmo’s Coffee Pub Inc
Address: 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301-1328
Location: Tall shelves amidst the tables and chairs
How to get there: Small parking lot (free parking)
Other info: Thank them by getting a drink/snack!
Website: http://www.stelmoscoffeepub.com/
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Address: 10360 North Street, Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Location: Free book boxes by the meeting rooms, just in front of the elevator
How to get there: Follow signs to the library and the library’s garage (free parking). Or take the CUE bus to the library.
Other info: This is only available when the library is open, so check the library website for hours of operation. We’ve asked the Friends of the Library about having an OBCZ here but they were not interested.
Website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/fx/
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Address: 3955 Chainbridge Rd. Suite 107, Fairfax, VA 22030 (Old Town Fairfax)
Location: Low shelves are to the right when you walk in the door (sometimes there are musicians playing there).
How to get there: There is a parking garage attached to the town square (free parking). Or take the CUE bus to spots in old town Fairfax.
Other info: This is only available when Potbelly is open, so check the website for hours of operation. Almost all of the books on the trade shelves are hardcovers and there isn’t always a lot of available room, so ideally you should leave one or two hardcovers at most each visit. Thank them by getting a drink/snack/meal (I recommend the sugar cookies)!
Website: http://potbelly.com/Stores/StoreLocator.aspx?PL=1&StoreId=161

Leave a Reply