The book haven was housed in a space on vineyard lane, before it was damaged by fire in march 2016. Any books or boxes left in the parking lot will result in a. Join facebook to connect with russell wattenberg and others you may know. Although open only on saturdays and sundays, the establishment at 3001 vineyard lane distributes at least 1,000 books to customers each week absolutely free. I didnt want something like a fire to shut us down when there are so many people who rely on us, said the book thing founder russell wattenberg. He runs a baltimore outfit called the book thing, which is not a library or store. The book thing gives books opportunity to find new homes.
The book things mission is and has always been to put unwanted books in the hands of people who want them. A man of commanding stature, with dirtcovered jeans, a tshirt boasting the name of his organization in typewriter print and a jack daniels baseball cap, wattenberg is the brains behind a nonprofit organization that accepts donations of used and new books and. I saw that russell s limit on how many you can take was 150,000, she says, straightfaced. Join facebook to connect with russell wynberg and others you may know. Under his leadership, it became a muchloved baltimore institution. Sep 25, 2012 you can only take 150,000 books per person, per day, according to the book things founder russell wattenberg, who said he has a hard time convincing people the books are free. Nov 28, 2017 russell wattenberg wanted to spread the power of the written word, so he transformed a baltimore warehouse into a makeshift library. For more than 17 years russell wattenberg has catered to thousands of hungry minds. Russell wattenberg executive director the book thing. Wattenberg spoke to the baltimore sun about the large amount of work to do in terms of cleaning up the debris and rebuilding what has been lost. Erin kenney, who participated in a book drive for her high schools invisible children program contacted the book thing to find out how many books she could take. Russell wattenberg business profile the book thing inc. Find contacts direct phone number, email address, work history, and more.
At the book thing in waverly, theres a high volume of give. The book thing founder russell wattenberg appeared in the news shows on the road segment, which spotlights ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Russell believes every book has a home somewhere, says dick macksey. Apr 24, 2015 national volunteer month is an ideal time to recognize people like russell wattenberg and volunteers who assist him. Nov 12, 2017 for more than 17 years russell wattenberg has catered to thousands of hungry minds.
Due to our hibernation, we are not currently accepting book donations. The warehouse library is the gift that keeps on giving. Russell wattenberg the book thing of baltimore 2000 community fellow wattenberg received a fellowship to expand the book thing of baltimore, which he founded, to establish a book distribution network system that provides used and remainder books. The book thing featured on cbs evening news baltimore, md patch. Book donations nprs andrea seabrook visits russell wattenberg, who gives away thousands of used books every week from a row house in midtown baltimore. Nov 30, 2017 the book thing of baltimore started out in the back of owner russell wattenbergs van. Visitors can grab as many books as they like to take home. Wattenberg received a fellowship to expand the book thing of baltimore, which he founded, to establish a book distribution network system that provides used and remainder books to non profit organizations and individuals throughout baltimore city. This organization primarily operates in the used merchandise stores business industry within the miscellaneous retail sector. Jul 08, 2002 book donations nprs andrea seabrook visits russell wattenberg, who gives away thousands of used books every week from a row house in midtown baltimore. The book thing of baltimore started out in the back of owner russell wattenberg s van. Today, its a fourroom warehouse where anyone can walk in. Today, its a fourroom warehouse where anyone can walk in, take as many books as they want and walk out.
The book thing baltimore when the doors open on an unassuming warehouse in baltimore, folks flood in with buckets and baskets and boxes. Russell wattenberg, owner of the book thing, asked that donations stop, as there is currently no place to store them. A baltimore book institution, after the fire literary hub. The book thing starts next chapter under new management. He runs a baltimore outfit called the book thing, which is not a library or. The book thing is open every saturday and sunday from 9 a. Nov 10, 2017 russell wattenberg has a booming business, and he singlehandedly feeds his city, though he doesnt sell a thing. A new chapter for the book thing for more than 17 years russell wattenberg has catered to thousands of hungry minds. Wattenberg is the founder and proprietor of the book thing, a makeshift, backdoor operation that has become an institution in the last six years for.
Nobodys insane enough to do what i do, says russell wattenberg, founder and executive director of the book thing of baltimore, inc. For baltimore teachers heading back to school, the book thing. The book thing has been nurturing readers since 1999, when russell wattenberg, who arrived in baltimore somewhat by accident, turned his hobby of collecting books and giving them away into a fulltime thingrussells book thing, as the patrons at the former mt. The book thing rebuilds, reopens, and will keep giving out. All the books you take have to be stamped, not for resale. Man turned empty warehouse into a book thing, fire ruined. Founder russell wattenberg, who opened the book thing in 2000 and brought it back after a devastating march 2017 fire, is taking a much deserved departure, albeit motivated and sped along due to. The baltimore city fire department was called to free book outlet the book thing at about 5 a. I saw that russells limit on how many you can take was 150,000, she says, straightfaced. At the book thing in waverly, theres a high volume of. Russell wattenberg 96 deserves a green thumbsup for his recycling efforts over the past years.
Hsbc donates books to the book thing of baltimore the. Where even the dime novel doesnt cost a cent the new. The book thing, a baltimorebased nonprofit that gives away free books, reopened its doors last month, following a fire that devastated much of the warehouse. Russell wattenberg the book thing of baltimore 2000 community fellow. People can just take whatever books they want, for free. A quaint yet brilliant free bookstore near john hopkins campus in baltimore, maryland, the book thing was established in 1999 by russell wattenberg, a bartender who decided to create this wonderful space after overhearing local teachers complain about the lack of reading materials for underprivileged students. Sep 01, 2019 the desire to give teachers an assist is woven into the book things dna. National volunteer month is an ideal time to recognize people like russell wattenberg and volunteers who assist him. A fire destroyed the nonprofit in march 2016, but a new page has turned. Oct 08, 2012 russell wattenberg 96 deserves a green thumbsup for his recycling efforts over the past years.
Russell wattenberg executive director the book thing of. Mar 11, 2016 its the first warm sunday of the year and ive arranged to meet russell wattenberg, the founder and owner of the book thing of baltimore, to talk about the previous wednesdays fire, which brought a swift halt to business as usual at this beloved free bookstore. A quaint yet brilliant free bookstore near john hopkins campus in baltimore, maryland, the book thing was established in 1999 by russell wattenberg, a bartender who decided to create this wonderful space after overhearing local teachers complain about the lack of. Jan 09, 2019 a new chapter for the book thing for more than 17 years russell wattenberg has catered to thousands of hungry minds. Nov 20, 2015 russell wattenberg, 43, of charles village, is the burly, bearded proprietor of the book thing, a 15yearold, waverlybased business that is open only on weekends. Baltimore book warehouse reopens after fire last year. Founder of the book thing in baltimore stepping down, new.
Aug 21, 2017 the book haven was housed in a space on vineyard lane, before it was damaged by fire in march 2016. A fire early this morning caused severe damage to a warehouse housing the beloved book thing of baltimore, which has served as a vibrant free book exchange and community institution for more than 15 years. In the future, wattenburg hopes to expand the book things mission to include other book distribution stops throughout baltimore, at courthouses and schools, broadening the reach of the free books and helping more people find the perfect novel. The desire to give teachers an assist is woven into the book things dna. Since then, the book thing has been periodically hosting donation dropoffs and drives. Wattenberg is the founder and proprietor of the book thing, a makeshift, backdoor operation that has become an institution in the last six years for giving away hundreds of thousands of books. The city that reads gets free books the johns hopkins news. The nonprofit enterprise circulates books donated by community members, city and county residents, universities, authors, publishers and. Russell wattenberg, the man in charge of the book thing. Russell wattenberg, which also operates under the name book thing of baltimore, the, is located in baltimore, maryland.
Help restore the book thing of baltimore open society. After 20 years of providing freetoall books to the bibliophiles of baltimore, the book thing has started a new chapter in its own story. The baltimore sun reported the following in 2002, the book thing has operated on a shoestring for several years, yet manages to give away about 20,000 hardback and paperback books a week, wattenberg said. Russell wattenberg open society institute baltimore. View russell wattenbergs business profile as executive director at the book thing inc. View russell wattenberg s profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. The warehouse library is the gift that keeps on giving goodnet. For baltimore teachers heading back to school, the book. The book thing its actually called that the retriever. In july, the nonprofit announced that its founder, russell wattenberg, who started the free book project that now occupies a vineyard lane warehouse in abell, would step down from the organization due to medical issues.
The book thing rebuilds, reopens, and will keep giving out free books by stephanie deluca. View russell wattenberg s business profile as executive director at the book thing inc. In 1999, russell wattenberg founded the store as a place for people to get free books. Nov 11, 2017 the book thing founder russell wattenberg appeared in the news shows on the road segment, which spotlights ordinary people doing extraordinary things. How giving away free books became a baltimore institution. View russell wattenbergs profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. For over 15 years, the book thing has been open every weekend, housing over 200,000 donated books and giving them to anyone with a passion for reading. Russell calls this the book thing, because its not a library, and its definitely not a store. She learned of the book thing while watching tv at college, near boston. The book thing has been nurturing readers since 1999, when russell wattenberg, who arrived in baltimore somewhat by accident, turned his hobby of collecting books and giving them away into a fulltime thing russell s book thing, as the patrons at the former mt. Sep 25, 2007 she learned of the book thing while watching tv at college, near boston. The book thing will reopen in october town of morningside. Baltimore organization makes reading fun, accessible the. The book thing of baltimore started out in the back of owner russell wattenbergs van.
Anyone can walk into the book thing, and take any of the 7,000 books home with them for free. Indeed, he spends his days trying to place millions of unwanted or abandoned books, orphans, so to speak. The book thing damaged in fire the johns hopkins newsletter. The city that reads gets free books the johns hopkins. Originally created by russell wattenberg to distribute books to lowincome students, it has become a haven for book lovers all over the dmv area. Its the first warm sunday of the year and ive arranged to meet russell wattenberg, the founder and owner of the book thing of baltimore, to talk about the previous wednesdays fire, which brought a swift halt to business as usual at this beloved free bookstore.
After fire, locals donate thousands of books to charity in. The book thing marks 10 years of donating books the. How an unassuming warehouse is catering to thousands of. Apr 25, 2002 wattenberg, a nonpracticing jew who was born in brooklyn, the son of a salesman and a dietician, is sitting slouched in his battered chair, his feet up on a cluttered desk, in the book thing of. A former bartender gives away about 25,000 volumes a week, and thousands of people visit his store on weekends.
Our after hours donation bin will be closedunavailable. Mar 02, 2016 the baltimore city fire department was called to free book outlet the book thing at about 5 a. Led by russell wattenberg, the book thing is neither a library or a store. Together with the original board, our founder russell wattenberg brought this vision to life with the creation of the book thing as a nonprofit in august 1999. Book thing founder russell wattenberg, who was one of osibaltimores first community fellows in 2000, made some comments through an intermediary.
Clifford panken, the owner of two bookstores, came to wattenberg s defense in april when the controversy emerged. Wattenberg, a nonpracticing jew who was born in brooklyn, the son of a salesman and a dietician, is sitting slouched in his battered chair, his feet up on a cluttered desk, in the book thing of. The building is a booklovers paradise where learning and discovering passions is encouraged. Its just going to be a huge mountain of work ahead, wattenberg said to the sun. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover russell. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. The book thing featured on cbs evening news baltimore. Founder russell wattenberg, who opened the book thing in 2000 and brought it back after a devastating march 2017 fire, is taking a much deserved departure, albeit motivated and sped along due. You can only take 150,000 books per person, per day, according to the book things founder russell wattenberg, who said he has a hard time convincing people the books are free.
Vernon mainstay doughertys, where he used to tend bar, called it. Bmores book thing burns down democratic underground. The baltimore sun reports that russell wattenberg, founder of the book thing, is waiting to obtain occupancy permits, before it can reopen. Russell wattenberg has a booming business, and he singlehandedly feeds his city, though he doesnt sell a thing. Each item is stamped not for resalethis is a free book.
Oct 14, 2017 i didnt want something like a fire to shut us down when there are so many people who rely on us, said the book thing founder russell wattenberg. A few minutes later, a smiling wattenberg reemerges with the woman, now carrying a bag filled with novels. The baltimore book thing is give and take by richard o. To put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them. At his nonprofit, the book thing of baltimore, he gives away roughly 15,000 books each week thats about 780,000 a year. Russell wattenberg wanted to spread the power of the written word, so he transformed a baltimore warehouse into a makeshift library. Russell wattenberg, 43, of charles village, is the burly, bearded proprietor of the book thing, a 15yearold, waverlybased business that is open.
Its founder, russell wattenberg, got the idea for it when he was working in a downtown bar in the late 1990s. It was created and is operated by russel wattenberg, a former bartender who was inspired to create a system for distributing books to impoverished students. The book thing of baltimore, founded by russell wattenberg about 20 years ago, has survived a lot and continues to bring joy to others. The fire in the abell warehouse was under control shortly after arrival, owner russell wattenberg said as he stood in smokescented water and literature in the warehouses back room, but he is still puzzled by the cause. Russell wattenberg wattenberg received a fellowship to expand the book thing of baltimore, which he founded, to establish a book distribution network system that provides used and remainder books to non profit organizations and individuals throughout baltimore city. Baltimore book warehouse reopens after fire last year cbs. The book thing of baltimore is a 501c nonprofit charity, located in baltimore, maryland, united states, created in september 1999 for the purpose of giving away books.
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