Baltimore's remarkable charity Bookthing is on the verge of rescuing itself from a years-long problem with its landlords, but it needs your help.
There's a little place in Baltimore called the Bookthing. They take your old books and give them away to other people. It's not any more complicated than that. I go in and drop off my old English Literature from 1800-1950 textbook, they hang on to it until someone else comes in a takes it home. It's all free…
To bring everyone up to speed: the building that houses our current location was sold in September 2004. The new owner is looking to renovate our space into an office or apartment. Our rent was $235 and he has now raised it to $525. The growth of The Book Thing has been strangled by our current location; no handicap accessibility, no heat, no bathroom, and lack of room limit the time that people can stay to volunteer or shop, and that limits the amount of books we can display and give away.
With the purchase of this building, 3001 Vineyard Lane in Waverly, we will have a permanent location in Baltimore so our existence is no longer at the whim of landlords. Our monthly mortgage payments will be less than we would have to pay in rent for a similar space. This new building will also have luxury items such as bathrooms and heat.
We have secured a mortgage for $210,00 from a private individual, amortized over 30 years but due in three years. Now all we need is the remaining $50,000 of the purchase price and $10,000 for closing costs. I have contacted some foundations and corporations. They have expressed interest, but that will take time. So we are coming to you, our supporters, for help.
(Thanks, Mark!)
