Encore Books

At first I couldn't find this place because there was a mini golf set up in the courthouse square. I had to literally walk around the block and saw these signs that read "used books" "this way" haha. This place is really hole-in-the-wall basement ish warehouse type feel bookstore. The prices are amazing for the used books. It is incredibly reasonably priced. I found two children's books in very good quality for $1 each. What a steal! For the most part, don't expect finding hot new bestsellers in here. This place is like for book antiques or if you need a used copy of something that might be a few years back. It was good for what I needed since I'm looking for some older historical fiction books about the American revolution. I was surprised to find two books here that I needed and so maybe you'll get lucky too!

The couple who owns this place are very friendly. They said hi right upon me walking in.

Selection is pretty wide, the books genres are organized in a neat way but the books themselves are scattered. For example, the fiction and nonfiction adult books are alphabetical order by last name but the children's books are not. It made things harder for me to look but I didn't mind since I had time. If you're in a rush then maybe this place isn't the best or just ask the lady up front for help!

Overall this place is a gem and the proceeds go to a good cause--San Mateo historical foundation!

I spent the day in downtown Redwood City with my granddaughter...I love used book stores so when I saw this own under the Museum, it was obvious we had to go in...
Lots of book all categorized. The Childrens' section is well stocked with nice book for little ones and there's even a table with chairs so we could sit and peruse in order to make our selection.
All of the books were only $1-2 dollars so you will not go broke getting new books for the little ones. Being that it is close to Halloween, we did find a really cute book for $1...
Definitely go there and support the Encore Book store.

I can't believe I've never been here!! Found an amazing used bookstore on the square. It's right below the San Mateo County History Museum. It's either the biggest or second biggest used bookstore in the area that I've ever been to. I ended up buying 5 books as a start (all five for 10 bucks)!

I have gone to Encore Books for a couple years.
Here is the place to find Their Link. Click on the Photograph where it says Encore Books to get into the Store : http://www.historysmc.org/
Please come visit Soon and Often !

I have just begun as the volunteer for taking care of Comic Books , most of which I am donating from my decades as a reader , and collector , and part-time Geek.
I am selling some of my extensive collections online these days to survive S.F. Bay Area living.
Encore books is operated by volunteers of the Funder's Sale , which raises Income for the San Mateo History Museum ~~~that is the former Courthouse which is on the Plaza, on Broadway, downtown Redwood City. It is above Encore Book's basement locations.

The first , sprawling room you enter has vinyl, CDs, Dvds and Blu rays, and many imports and Anime films. Biographies. Hobby books. Hardcover Fiction and trade paperbacks . Non-fiction sections include : Music. Theater. Art and museum exhibitions books. Architecture.
Some unique non-fiction categories , such as "weird" and paranormal studies. Signed Books are near the Anime dvds. The comic books & graphic novels should be in this area , as well.

Sometimes the ladies who volunteer move categories around.
So, if you don't find a section of Books , Please Ask at the front Desk.

There is a massive children's books selection in the big, rear room.
This includes vintage , olde and collectible kidz Books.
Go father back into the final , medium-sized room where the paperbacks are in this rear area. Sci-Fi mmpb. Mystery mmpb are back there, also thrillers, romance , and westerns.
Many rooms here full of all genre of fiction and non-fiction.
Many olde , vintage hardback Books are in the entryway enroute to the big room in back.

Yay! Unfortunately, this bookstore is quasi-hidden, underneath the San Mateo County Historical Museum.

We were eating lunch one day on the courtyard, and H wanted to check out the bookstore. To be frank, I would not have noticed the bookstore if he had not mentioned it. Walking into the bookstore was a little awkward since it seems like we were walking into a tunnel. Nevertheless, the bookstore is AMMMMAZINGGGG!!!!!!

They have newly used books (New York Times Best Sellers) to really old books. This place is pretty much like a library, but you donate your purchases to the museum. Most of the books range from 50 cents to 5 bucks!

I purchased a newly used book,"The Friday Night Knitting Club," for $1.50! =D

My favorite used bookstore to lose myself in! Bring cash and don't plan on having cell reception. Friendly people and great (but unpredictable) selection of books. Super cheap so it's a fun place to treasure hunt!

Deeply hidden within the History Museum I set out to find this place. I wasn't disappointed! This bookstore is a treasure house. Stacks and stacks in 3 full rooms. Very modestly priced from $1-$3.

Great little used bookstore in the basement of the San Mateo County Historical Museum. Quite a few cheap books in decent to new condition. They have a room just for paperbacks and almost all of them are a dollar each. They also have quite a collection of collectible and old books. The volunteers are eager to help you find the books you want or need.

The reason the hours are so few is because the people who volunteer there are retirees and senior citizens, many of them have a difficult time driving because of their eyesight.

Instead of complaining about the hours, why don't you all actually *volunteer* there to help solve this problem?

(I would volunteer but I don't live in California.)

I LOVE this bookstore! When you first arrive, it looks like a smaller bookstore but then they have a large second room. I've bought classic books here as well as bestsellers.. they have something for every reader. Very cheap books and the staff is wonderful as well!

The Funders Bookstore can be found in a tiny pocket within the San Mateo County Historical Museum in Redwood City. What makes this an ideal loot-finding adventure is that the majority of the books are in near-fine condition, and no ex-library. Proceeds go to fund the historical society.

If you are collector this is where you should be shopping.

Now, it looks as if the seasoned volunteers do high-grade the books and set aside a collectible section-but its obvious collectibles and to the untrained eye an old book is not necessarily a "collectible" book-but its how much research do they do? Probably not alot because its too time-consuming.

I consider this bookstore, one of untapped wonders-so much that on my very first visit I uncovered a Near Fine, First Edition Susan Orlean-not bad for paying $2.50 for a book that is worth $175 on the open market!