Hello Book Thing friends,

We have some extras for you in September!

Sept 22: Abell Community Street Fair

TBT has long participated in our local community street fair, and we’re delighted to have a booth again this year.  Come say hi, adopt some free books, and meet our wonderful neighbors!  Street fair hours are 12p-5p.  Please visit the event website for more information. Sorry, no book donations accepted.

Sept 29: Baltimore Book Festival in Waverly

The Baltimore Book Festival is back, celebrating the city’s authors, readers, and literary heritage right here in our neighborhood on the last weekend of September.

The Book Thing will be open for special festival hours from 11a-4p on Sunday, Sept 29th.  Sorry, no book donations accepted.  For browsing, we will follow the same timed-entry format that we use at our regular monthly public openings. Here’s what you need to know:

  • We have been told there will be festival street closures all around TBT, and parking may be difficult.  Please expect to walk several blocks.
  • Our system is first-come, first-served; there are no reservations – just come get in line!
  • 110 patrons will be permitted to enter on the hour each hour from 11am to 3pm. All patrons must exit before 4pm.
  • Patrons will have 55 minutes to browse our stacks, select their books, and exit the building. The time limit will be strictly enforced. You may get back in line to re-enter… and many patrons do.
  • If a patron exits early, a new patron who is waiting may enter “on standby” and use the remainder of the 55 minute time slot. This new patron will not be permitted to stay beyond the end of the time slot, extend into the next time slot, or hold their original place in line for a later time slot. Standby entry means you will have less than 55 minutes to browse.
  • Upon exiting, patrons will form an outdoor line to count their books and sign out (even if it’s raining).
  • One parent may be accompanied by a maximum of three children, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. For everyone’s safety, please ensure your children are well-supervised – our kids’ section is typically busy and crowded!
  • Patrons will enter through the red room door and exit through the blue room door.
  • The restroom will be available, but you will not be permitted to enter the building to use it except when it’s your turn to be inside browsing for books. Please plan accordingly.
  • We have some spare boxes available to hold your books.
  • Out of courtesy to other patrons and to facilitate traffic flow, please leave your large boxes/wagons/etc. outside the exit door and fill them an armful at a time, rather than carting them around with you.
  • Masks are no longer required indoors at TBT; masking is optional but welcome.
  • Please note: TBT welcomes trained service animals but is not a pet-friendly location.
  • Due to street closures and festival traffic, we will not be accepting book donations on Sept 29.  Thank you for your understanding.

We will resume our regularly scheduled programming with the normal monthly opening and donation day on Sunday, October 13.  You’ll find more dates on our homepage and more information about book donations on our Donate page.