Buying & Selling Used Books
Visit Our Used Book Basement
Downstairs in Harvard Book Store, you'll find thousands of used books, including works of classic and modern literature, children's books, books in other languages and nonfiction works on history, art, architecture, religion, science, and much more.
As you browse the shelves, take a minute to look on the end of bookcases and on the walls—posted are the ephemera we find in used books we’ve bought from customers. There are bookmarks from around the world, ticket stubs from events, including one from the Republican Convention of 1948 and a piece of stationery from the Sheraton Hotel on which someone wrote "I cannot contain my loathing for Kant."
WE BUY USED BOOKS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 4PM
The used book buyers have total discretion to decide which books to buy, based on current inventory, as well as knowledge and experience regarding which books appeal to our customers.
Requirements
We only buy paperbacks* in excellent condition. We do not buy books with broken or creased spines, notations, water damage, highlighting or underlining. We do not buy hardcovers* (see below for a few exceptions to this rule). In order to comply with State and Federal tax regulations, you must present a photo ID when you sell books. We do not accept donations. We pay 15% of the cover price in cash, or 20% in store credit.
Guidelines
We are primarily interested in books on the following subjects:
- Chess
- Classical studies (ancient Latin and Greek literature)
- History
- Foreign language fiction
- Math
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Science
- Science fiction
We consider books on the following subjects:
- Business (published in the last 3 years)
- Contemporary Romance
- Cookbooks (published in the last 5 years)
- Crafts and hobbies
- Drama, film, and performing arts
- Eastern Religion, Islam, and Judaism
- Essays
- Fiction
- Music, including sheet music
We do not buy the following types of books:
- Children’s and Young Adult**
- Christianity**
- Literary criticism**
- Mysteries**
- test prep books
- Textbooks
- ex-library books
- galleys/advanced readers copies
- Large print
- computer programming
- travel guides more than 2 years old
- rare or antiquarian books
*we consider the following types of hardcovers:
- Academic books that are not available as paperbacks
- Cookbooks (published in the last 5 years)
- Art books
- Everyman Library, Library of America, Modern Library, Loeb Classics
- Gift editions of classics
**until further notice, due to an abundance of overstock.
Questions? Email us at usedbooks@harvard.com, or call us at 617-475-8305. We do our best to answer emails and voicemails within 1 business day.
We do not accept donations
Here are just a few local options if you are looking to donate your books:
-
More Than Words
- MTW Donation Drop-off Bins
- Prison Book Program
- Goodwill (Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville locations—among others)
- Boomerangs (Central Square, Cambridge, location—among others)
- Bryn Mawr Bookstore
- Little Free Libraries
- More locations via Book Donation Map
Classic Totes
Tote bags and pouches
in a variety of styles,
sizes, and designs, plus mugs, bookmarks, and more!
Shipping & Pickup
We ship anywhere in the U.S. and orders of $75+ ship free via media mail!
Learn More »Noteworthy Signed Books: Join the Club!
Join our Signed First Edition Club (or give a gift subscription) for a signed book of great literary merit, delivered to you monthly.
Learn More »