Book Cellar Bargains Only a Few Steps Down

Located in the John Barton Payne Building in Warrenton, The Book Cellar is open Friday and Saturday.

Photo by Anita L. Sherman

Book Cellar Bargains Only a Few Steps Down

Located in the John Barton Payne Building in Warrenton, The Book Cellar is open Friday and Saturday.

By Anita L. Sherman

The Book Cellar is alive and well and ready for patrons to explore its thousands of used books in a myriad of genres.

Tucked away in Old Town Warrenton, this charming place is reached a few stairs down in the basement of the John Barton Payne Building on Courthouse Square.

Closed for a while during the pandemic, it quietly reopened in July and patrons, as well as those discovering it for the first time, couldn’t be happier.

Under the umbrella of the Friends of the Fauquier Library, the Book Cellar has a 22-year history of serving the community.

“We’re so glad to have it,” said Maria Del Rosso, library director.

Del Rosso gives huge credit to the Friends of the Fauquier Library board who not only run The Book Cellar but contribute in many ways, including support of the Summer Reading Program, the library’s book clubs, community reads and other events and programs.

The Book Cellar brings in about $30,000 a year from book sales.

“[Those funds] have helped us purchase books, equipment, book carts, furniture, and continuing education for our staff,” said Del Rosso, noting that the ongoing support from The Friends expands and enriches the library’s regular budget.

“They’ve recently applied for a grant,” said Del Rosso. “They’d like to put up a StoryWalk, similar to the one at Brumfield Elementary School, where you can walk, read and discuss a book as you go along…it’s for all ages to enjoy.”

StoryWalks are an innovative and delightful way to explore a book. Pages are enlarged, laminated and posted for viewers to walk along and read. They’re currently in all 50 states and 13 countries.

If you haven’t visited The Book Cellar in a while you’ll be pleased at the expanded space. When they reopened in July, additional rooms were added.

“It’s not so cluttered now…there’s plenty of room,” said Liza Larson, who sits on the Friends of the Fauquier Library Board, and is a frequent volunteer.

She’s quick to welcome patrons and direct them to the various sections, from cookbooks to crafts to history and politics, fiction or art. There are plenty of books for children as well.

“I think my daughter would enjoy this,” said David Hatch who found a wonderfully illustrated pop-up book for his toddler. “It’s only a dollar.”

Currently, there are 33 active volunteers. Eight are needed to run The Book Cellar the two days a week it’s open.

“We’re very happy with the additional rooms,” said Larson.

Just before you enter the store, there are large bins where book donations are accepted. When donated books arrive at The Book Cellar, volunteers make sure they’re clean and in good condition.

“No books go on the shelves that are in disrepair,” said Del Rosso.

In addition to sorting and mending donated books, the volunteers organize book sales, research rare books and help with mailings. They often hold special sales and fundraisers.

Liza Larson

The Book Cellar is located at 2 Courthouse Square, John Barton Payne Building, Warrenton, Virginia 20186. Contact: 540-341-3447 or thebookcellar2010@gmail.com. Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.