If you love used books and a good deal, San Diego's library system has been quietly running one of the best-kept secrets in the county: permanent used bookstores inside library branches, staffed almost entirely by volunteers, with prices that start at a dollar and rarely go higher.
Most people know their local library holds an occasional book sale. What fewer people realize is that dozens of San Diego County branches run ongoing, walk-in bookstores — open most days of the week, stocked with donated books across every genre, and entirely separate from the library's main collection. You browse, you buy, and the money goes back to supporting the branch.
There are about 30 of them across the county. Here's where to find them.
What Are Friends of the Library Bookstores?
Each branch has its own Friends group — a nonprofit volunteer organization that raises money for the library through book sales, programs, and advocacy. The permanent in-branch bookstores are their main ongoing fundraiser. Books are donated by the community, sorted by volunteers, priced low, and sold on a rolling basis.
Prices vary but expect to pay $1–3 for paperbacks, $2–5 for hardcovers, and occasionally less on sale days. Some locations run weekly specials where everything is a flat rate.
The Most Popular Ones
Second Hand Prose — Coronado has its own dedicated storefront behind the Coronado Library on D Avenue, open Monday through Saturday 10am–4pm and Sunday 1–4pm. One of the better-stocked Friends stores in the county with a loyal local following. coronadofol.org/book-store
Jane & Evie's Used Books — Oceanside has its own storefront on Coast Highway. Sunday through Tuesday 11–3, Wednesday through Saturday 10–5. oplfriends.org
The Bottom Shelf Bookstore — Fallbrook Library has been running since 1987 — one of the longest-running Friends bookstores in the county. Monday through Saturday 10am–4pm, Tuesday 1–4pm only. fallbrooklibraryfriends.org
The Friendly Used Book Store — Santee Library has had its own dedicated space since 1995. Monday through Friday 12–4, Saturday 10–4. friendsofsanteelibrary.com
Friends of the Encinitas Library Bookstore is one of the few open seven days a week. Sunday 1–4pm, Monday and Thursday through Saturday 10am–4pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 11am–4pm. encinitaslibfriends.org/bookstore
The Full County List
Here's every permanent Friends of the Library bookstore in San Diego County with verified hours, organized by area.
Central San Diego
Friends Library — Central Library
330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 · (619) 238-6655
Mon 10–12:30 · Tue 11–4:30 · Wed 10–4 · Thu 10–1 · Fri 10–2 · Sat 10–4 · Closed Sun
Friends Library — Mission Hills/Knox Library
925 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103 · (619) 782-7541
Tue 12–6 · Wed, Fri–Sat 10–5:45 · Thu 10–5 · Closed Mon, Sun
Friends Bookshop — University Heights Library
4193 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103 · (619) 542-1724
Mon–Tue 11:30am–8pm · Wed–Sat 9:30am–6pm · Closed Sun
friendsofuhlibrary.org/book-sale
North County
Friends of the Encinitas Library Bookstore
540 Cornish Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024 · (760) 944-7294
Sun 1–4 · Mon, Thu–Sat 10–4 · Tue–Wed 11–4
encinitaslibfriends.org/bookstore
The Book Nook — Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library
2081 Newcastle Ave, Cardiff, CA 92007 · (760) 753-4027
Tue 12–4 · Wed–Sat 10–4 · Closed Sun–Mon
Title Wave Bookstore — Solana Beach Library
157 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075 · (858) 755-1404
Mon, Wed–Fri 10–4 · Tue 12–6 · Closed Sat–Sun
friendsofsolanabeachlibrary.org
RSF Book Cellar — Rancho Santa Fe Library
17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 · (858) 759-8421
Mon–Sat 10–4 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — San Marcos Library
2 Civic Center Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069 · (760) 891-3007
Mon, Thu–Fri 10–4 · Tue–Wed 12–6 · Sat 10–1 · Closed Sun
The Book Nook — 4S Ranch Library
10433 Reserve Dr, San Diego, CA 92127 · (858) 673-4697
Tue 12–6 · Wed–Sat 10–5 · Closed Sun–Mon
Bottom Shelf Bookstore — Fallbrook Library
124 S Mission Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028 · (760) 451-9606
Mon, Wed–Sat 10–4 · Tue 1–4 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — Valley Center Library
29200 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082 · (760) 966-5219
Tue 12–7 · Wed–Thu 10–6 · Fri–Sat 10–5 · Closed Sun–Mon
Friends Bookstore — Vista Library
700 Eucalyptus Ave, Vista, CA 92084 · (760) 643-5106
Mon, Thu–Fri 10–4 · Tue–Wed 12–6 · Sat 10–4 · Sun 12–3
Friends Bookstore — Carlsbad Dove Library
1775 Dove Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011 · (442) 339-2020
Mon–Sat 10–4
Friends Bookstore — Carlsbad Cole Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · (442) 339-2898
Mon–Sat 10–4
Oceanside
Jane & Evie's Used Books
323 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054 · (760) 435-5560
Sun–Tue 11–3 · Wed–Sat 10–5
Friends Bookstore — Oceanside Civic Center Library
330 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054 · (760) 435-5600
Mon–Thu 9–7 · Fri–Sat 9–6 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — Oceanside Mission Branch
3861-B Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058 · (760) 944-7294
Mon–Thu 9–7 · Fri–Sat 9–6 · Sun 1–5
Coronado
Second Hand Prose — Coronado Library
640 D Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 · (619) 435-1516
Mon–Sat 10–4 · Sun 1–4
East San Diego County
Friends Bookstore — La Mesa Library
8074 Allison Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942 · (619) 469-2151
Mon, Thu, Sat 10–4 · Tue–Wed, Fri 1–4 · Sun 10–1
Friends Bookstore — El Cajon Library
201 E Douglas Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 · (619) 588-3717
Mon, Thu–Sun 10–4 · Tue–Wed 12–4
facebook.com/ElCajonFriendsOfTheLibraryBookstore
Friends Bookstore — Lemon Grove Library
3001 School Ln, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 · (619) 463-9819
Mon, Wed–Thu 10–6 · Tue 12–7 · Fri–Sat 10–5 · Closed Sun
The Friendly Used Book Store — Santee Library
9225 Carlton Hills Blvd, Ste 8, Santee, CA 92071 · (619) 596-1525
Mon–Fri 12–4 · Sat 10–4 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — Lakeside Library
12428 Woodside Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040 · (619) 631-5614
Mon, Wed–Sat 11–4 · Tue 12–4 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — Rancho San Diego Library
11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019 · (619) 660-5370
Mon, Wed–Thu 10–6 · Tue 12–7 · Fri–Sat 10–5 · Closed Sun
Friends Bookstore — Alpine Library
1752 Alpine Blvd, Alpine, CA 91901 · (619) 722-1277
Tue 12–6:30 · Wed–Sat 10–4:30 · Closed Sun–Mon
South Bay
Friends Bookstore — Imperial Beach Library
810 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932 · (619) 628-2311
Mon, Wed–Thu 10–6 · Tue 12–6 · Fri–Sat 10–5 · Closed Sun
imperialbeachfriendsofthelibrary.org
Friends Bookstore — Bonita-Sunnyside Library
4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902 · (619) 578-6584
Mon–Sat 10–4
Inland / Poway / Spring Valley
Friends Bookstore — Poway Library
13137 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064 · (858) 513-2862
Tue–Wed 12–6:30 · Thu 10–5:30 · Fri–Sun 10–4:30 · Closed Mon
Friends Bookstore — Spring Valley Library
836 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977 · (619) 578-6536
Mon–Fri 10–4
Backcountry
Friends Bookstore — Julian Library
1850 Hwy 78, Julian, CA 92036 · (760) 765-0370
Mon, Wed–Thu 10–6 · Tue 12–7 · Fri 10–5 · Closed Sat–Sun
Friends Bookstore — Ramona Library
1275 Main St, Ramona, CA 92065 · (442) 358-9173
Mon, Wed–Sat 10:30–3:30 · Tue 12–5 · Closed Sun
A Few Practical Notes
Hours change. Volunteer-run bookstores occasionally adjust schedules, close for inventory, or reduce hours during slow seasons. The hours listed here were verified from each Friends organization's official website — but it's always worth a quick call before making a special trip.
Donations are welcome at most locations. If you have books to clear out, Friends bookstores are one of the best places to bring them. Your donation stays local and funds programs at that specific branch.
All 28 locations are listed in the Thrift Diego directory under the Books category. Search by zip code to find the ones closest to you.
Know a Friends bookstore we missed, or have updated hours? Use the Suggest an Edit link on any listing to let us know.