Jane Addams Book Shop

This place is just awesome. It’s a step back in time. Everything in here reminds you of yesteryear. A great place to get out of print an old books. They treat my wife awesomely. The upstairs is the most fun though, to ramble around and look through stuff. Beautifully done!

Jane Addams books are so cool, upon entering this shop I thought to myself, let’s see what so different from other vintage bookstores. Here’s the deets: everything. I mean everything, the owner sells used and new books, as well as has some crafty and comfy neat areas to sit in read and relax. If only I had more time today. Now, when you first go in, you think wowzers lots of BOOKS AND CARDS AND PICTURES (vintage) but then there’s another room, and another, and another, and well you get it. All of them carefully categorized and well decorated but the sense is as if you’ve ventured through time travel; each room is very unique and has a vibe similar to its titles, rather that be poetry, history or non-​fiction. I like big books and I cannot lie. For an amazing experience that’s truly its own and not like any other place, visit Jane Addams and the owner was super neato and friendly. Loving it! I’ll be back.

I love this little bookstore in champaign! If you go upstairs and past the mezzanine floor and venture through the multiple little rooms, you should find a room in the corner (the foreign languages section I think) where you will find a cupboard and section full of old photographs and post cards of random people and objects from the 1800s and onward. It’s a bit creepy but still fascinating if you look past all of that! I spent a good 45 mins looking through these, found some old letters and postcards addressed to real people: O
Jane Adams book shop is a great place to spend hours at on a free weekend. The store itself has a very typical old book shop layout, they used to have a super comfy couch in the second floor but it’s been gone for a while now :(you should still find comfy spots around the bookshop to sit down and read a book.

Interesting selection of books, definitely the better foreign-​language selection than the one in Urbana but poor organization and prices are a bit high.

My favorite book store in the area. The staff is really nice and friendly, let you stay there for hours, and are very helpful with everything you need. The book selection is eclectic, which is to be expected given it’s location near the U of I and it’s wonderful getting lost among the books and discovering hidden treasures.
I love how spacious the location is, with it’s three floors. I love how quiet it can be and I think a perfect addition for them would be too offer coffee (for money of course) and a study space to really welcome students.
My favorite thing about them is that they have a really fantastic book purchasing policy. You can get a lot of in-​store credit for what you have. Definitely something I have taken advantage of over the years.

I love this treasure. I would say «little» treasure but it isn’t little. Jane Adams has a wildly big selection of unique books. The only problem I ever have if going in and deciding on just a couple

An unbelievably charming reading nook that offers an extensive and exciting expanse of reading experiences that seems to grow and grow before your eyes as you explore each new floor.

3 floors of all kinds of books. You could spend hours in the store and never be bothered.
Only downfall is the organization is kind of all over the place but great to discover little hidden treasures!
If you love the smell of old books, you ll love this bookstore!

Am a Civil War history buff from Cow Hampsha’. I recently found a rare 19^th century publication online at Jane Addams Book Shop. Although the book was inexpensive, Judy treated me as if I was their «key account». She even gave me an unrequested break on shipping. How many book shops do that? Buying antiquarian books online can be a crapshoot, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again from Jane Addams Book Shop in Champaign. In fact, I’ll be making a point of it. Thank you for doing your job so well, Judy. I really appreciate it.

i could spend months in this store. i love the way its set up, u could disappear with a book into a cozy corner. they have a giant selection. thie only problem was when we checked out it was raining like crazy and the girl asked if we wanted a bag and then when we said yes she gave us a paper bag. old books, paper bag, rain storm, not a god combo.

A great independent book store. There is a great feel here, with books piled everywhere. Cramped narrow allies between the shelves. Deceivingly large though. There are three stories of books in all genres. The owner is great and she will help you find anything you want. I have found great gifts here as well as stuff I want to read. A great location downtown, that I hope continues to thrive for as long as the owners want. I am glad the big box stores like Barnes & Noble or Borders are closing, but places like this keep trucking.

I’m a former literature professor with broad tastes in reading. Jane Addams satisfies them. We’re lucky to be in a college town, where a lot of interesting used books find their way here.
There’s something pleasurable about this packed store, with its rows and rows of books on every topic. There’s a rare book room in the back, too, and a kid’s section. Don’t expect bargain prices. The prices are often good, but not exceptionally good.
The previous owner didn’t like kids, so I stopped going when my son was young. The new owners are much more welcoming, and now I go regularly again. They’ve told me they are working to electronically catalog all the new works that come in and are slowly getting up the backlog as well. They know their stock and are glad to help you look for something. But, really, browsing is the best part of the experience.

If you cannot find something to read here… well you must have read every book on the planet!
The staff is great. The inventory is mind-​blowing, and it is locally-​owned!

As a total bookworm, let me just say that I adore this place. I’m pretty sure this used to be a residential house or something that they converted into used book heaven. There are two and a half floors of just floor to ceiling stacks and shelves of books. It’s decently organized, which I appreciate, but like any used bookstore you also have to do your fair share of digging around. Upstairs is a maze of tiny rooms, each devoted to their own subject. The entire shop has that delightful musty book smell that I have a strange love for. Just walking in and getting a whiff of that and seeing crowded bookshelves everywhere, you know there’s some seriously good stuff to be found in here.

I love used book stores and this one didn’t disappoint. I stopped in here looking to expand my Nancy Drew collection and scored four books I’ve been looking for. And they were only $ 7 each. A total steal! Plus, I found a handful of Donna Parker mysteries all in really good condition and all $ 10 or under. So they definitely had a nice children’s section. I didn’t really look around too much besides there, but with 3 stories of books I’m sure there are some great finds in other genres, as well.

I love taking people to Jane Addams for the first time — it reminds me of my first time coming here and the wonder and amazement I felt exploring its 3 floors of books. I always find something unique when I shop here. Apparently it is now under new management — and the place looked more organized than in the past. I think they are working on a computer inventory of books, as well, which would be great if you are looking for a specific book. A great place to explore, and a real hidden treasure of Champaign-​Urbana.

This is one of my favorite places in CU. The first time I went there I was astounded by how HUGE it was. There are three floors full of every kind of book you’d want. There are so many treasures to find here. Sometimes you have to dig a bit but it’s well worth it. There’s just something about a book store stuffed to the gills that makes me happy. Whether it’s a newer book or an old, forgotten book or a totally new book you never thought you’d read… there’s so much to find here.
It’s now under new ownership but have no fear! They’ve already done a great job. They’ve opened up the space a bit more so it’s easier to get around but the selection is just as terrific. They’re apparently in the process of building a database of the books so one day if you’re not feeling like wandering around but are looking for a specific title they’ll be able to tell you whether they have it! Not sure they’re there yet but they’re trying. I’m just so happy none of the charm of the place has been lost. Price-​wise most books are decent Though nothing is amazingly cheap the only books you’ll find that are marked up are out of print books and even then it’s still very reasonable.

This bookstore competes with some of my favourite used bookshops in San Francisco, L.A., and San Diego. Jane Addams may have been a wonderful social justice advocate, but even better, she’s lent her name to three floors of book browsing heaven, with an affable staff and veritable mounds of books to sift through, this place is fantastic if a bit chaotic. Still, there’s an attempt at order with amazing rooms from «Foreign Language» to «Science Fiction» to «Medieval Lit». Jane, you will make this move a lot easier.

I’ve never been one for second-​hand stores: all that clutter just makes me nervous. That said, on occasion I face my fears and delve into the clusterf*ck that is Jane Addams.
Despite having that stifling old bookstore smell (because, well, that’s exactly what it is) there are some really cool gems hidden amongst the discarded Nancy Drews and John Grishams.
I found a first edition Nabokov to add to my collection and the bargain basement prices have been responsible for introducing me to the likes of Tom Robbins and Vikram Chandra, a gift I will treasure always.
So, while you won’t find me there often due to my intolerance for poor organization, those wihout my affliction will likely enjoy the hunt.

this is what i would call a sweet book shop. i have been shopping here since i was a freshman in college…17 years later i still find myself wandering in here when i’m in need of a distraction. the staff are very helpful and always amaze me when they are able to locate something. imagine an old building with a zillion floors, nooks, and crannies and then piles upon piles of old books everywhere… i know it sounds like heaven doesn’t it? well it is. you will walk in searching for something and walk out found.