Buy Books, Support Libraries! 5 Online Bookstores That Give Back
INTRODUCTION
At Spunky Psyche, we believe in the power of stories and the importance of access. That’s why we celebrate libraries not just as places, but as pillars of equity, imagination, and lifelong learning. And let’s be honest—while borrowing books is great, sometimes you just want your own copy. For underlining. For rereading. For sharing.
With how the world is right now, producing and owning books has gotten way more expensive and harder to find. Most folks tend to rely on digital copies to share and spread ideas and thoughts. But physical books are still super important for keeping access alive.
So here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between loving your own library and supporting public ones. These five online bookstores let you do both.
Why This Matters
Library funding in the U.S. has been decreasing for years. According to the American Library Association, nearly 30% of libraries reported shorter hours last year because of budget problems. At the same time, book bans and censorship are on the rise, especially in school and public libraries. We’re quickly losing our right to access information.
Access to stories shouldn't be a privilege. Everyone deserves to have the same access to information and resources so they can make informed choices about their values and beliefs. By shopping with retailers that support libraries and literacy programs, you’re voting for access, education, and fairness. You’re helping build the infrastructure that gives people—no matter their income or background—a chance to explore new ideas, grow their knowledge, and imagine new futures.
And as a brand that believes in storytelling with purpose, we love highlighting businesses that walk the talk. Because storytelling isn’t just about marketing—it’s about shaping the world we’re creating.
5 Bookstores That Support Libraries and Literacy
Better World Books
What They Do: Better World Books sells both new and used books online with a mission to support global literacy.
How They Give Back: Every purchase helps fund literacy programs and libraries around the world. They also donate millions of books directly to libraries and nonprofits.
Why We Love It: Their model is circular and sustainable—they collect used books from libraries and resell or donate them to support new educational programs.
Website: https://www.betterworldbooks.com
Bookshop.org
What They Do: Bookshop.org is a socially conscious alternative to major retailers, designed to support local, independent bookstores.
How They Give Back: A portion of every sale goes into a profit-sharing pool that supports independent bookstores. They also partner with library nonprofits and advocacy orgs.
Why We Love It: Their affiliate program means even small creators can earn a share while promoting diverse, indie titles—and the design is easy to navigate and clean. Bonus: curated booklists!
Website: https://www.bookshop.org
ThriftBooks
What They Do: One of the largest sellers of used books online, with a massive and affordable catalog.
How They Give Back: ThriftBooks partners with literacy nonprofits and regularly donates books to underserved schools, libraries, and youth programs.
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for affordable options or nostalgic titles from your childhood, this is a goldmine. Plus, every order helps someone else access books, too.
Website: https://www.thriftbooks.com
🛒 LibraryThing Store
What They Do: LibraryThing is best known as a cataloging tool for book lovers, librarians, and scholars. Their store supports the LibraryThing platform and connected library tools.
How They Give Back: Purchases help fund continued access to OpenLibrary, TinyCat (for small libraries), and improvements in public cataloging tech.
Why We Love It: It’s nerdy in the best way. Great for library professionals or anyone who loves organizing their book collection.
Website: https://store.librarything.com
🛒 Books4School
What They Do: Sells books in bulk at discounted rates—especially to educators, librarians, and nonprofits.
How They Give Back: Provides free or low-cost books to schools and early literacy programs, helping ensure kids have access to age-appropriate reading.
Why We Love It: Great for teachers and community organizers who want to stretch a tight budget and still deliver high-quality resources.
Website: https://www.books4school.com
More Ways to Support Libraries (Beyond Buying Books)
You don’t need to spend a dime to stand up for public libraries. Here are other free or low-cost ways to make a difference:
Donate gently used books to your local library’s Friends group for resale or distribution
Volunteer for events or literacy programs (story hours, tutoring, book sales)
Attend fundraising events like author talks or library festivals
Advocate for library funding by writing to your representatives or voting on ballot measures
Share library resources on social media to help others discover what their library offers
Tell your library story—how it shaped you, helped you start a business, or made education more accessible
Final Thoughts: Conscious Bookshelves, Collective Impact
Every dollar you spend on a book is a chance to make a statement.
When you shop consciously, you’re not just buying a story—you’re helping protect the systems that make storytelling possible for everyone. You’re keeping books on shelves, librarians in jobs, and communities connected to resources that matter.
At Spunky Psyche, we believe design and storytelling should always serve something bigger. That’s why we stand with libraries and why we’ll keep amplifying the people, platforms, and projects that build a more creative, educated, and equitable world.
Want to make your next book haul count for something bigger? Start with one of the bookstores above.
Let’s build better bookshelves together.
