Delayed over a year by a certain pandemic, Indy Reads Books will finally open the doors to its new home on Friday, Nov. 5, at 1066 Virginia Ave. in the heart of Fountain Square. The space is no stranger to books, however, having been for many years the home of a branch of The Indianapolis Public Library.
The bookstore – which supports the adult literacy mission of Indy Reads – will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Indy Reads Books offers donated used books, as well as a limited selection of new books.
Indy Reads Books was launched in 2012 on the East End of Mass Ave, but began a search for a new home in 2019 in anticipation of rising rents. Its new home is owned by Southeast Neighborhood Development, which sees the not-for-profit use of the space as a perfect match for its own mission.
The Fountain Square location is significantly larger than the bookstore’s previous home, allowing the organization to consolidate its office and classroom space previously located in the Central Library.
As before, Indy Reads Books will accept donations of gently used books (no media or games). For the month of November, we will accept donations during all open hours, with those donations limited to three boxes. Beginning Dec. 1, however, staff will accept donations once a month.
The reopening includes a special offer: Every purchase, no matter how small, will be accompanied by a free copy of Indy Writes Books, an anthology curated by Indy Reads in 2014. The book featuring 27 local authors, poets and puzzlemakers including Ben H. Winters, John Green, and Cathy Day.
Indy Reads Books will also host events, although the first such event will be virtual – a Read-A-Thon from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28. For details, go to https://giving.indyreads.org/ReadAThon.
