Logos Books

https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/logos-books-davis

Logos Books is a not-for-profit second hand bookstore located in downtown Davis. All profits from the store as of February 2017 go to the Friends of the Davis Public Library that supports the Davis branch of the Yolo County Library system. We list a selection of our most valuable, rare, and collectible books at Biblio.com. Our location in downtown Davis contains thousands of used books! 

Prior to opening as a brick-and-mortar store in 2010 (in the space previously occupied by Aquarius),  Logos was operated as a small internet business and from 2000 to 2010 contributed over $45,000 to  "Save the Children" and "Doctors Without Borders.  The owners were Peter Linz, a UCD emeritus professor of math and computer science and Susan Linz, a former instructor of French and ESL at Solano Community College and the Davis Adult School.

As of February 2017, the bookstore is owned by The Friends of the Davis Public Library, is operated entirely by volunteers and is stocked with books donated either at the store or at library. The store offers an array of books in other many areas including art, foreign language, literature, children's books, philosophy, history, science, contemporary fiction and many "bargain books."  Books are added to the store inventory every day. 

Logos Books participates in the Second Friday ArtAbout as well as other activities organized by the Davis Downtown Business Association and the Davis Chamber of Commerce.

Book sections and their shelf number.Store map
Logos Books is fortunate to receive the support of numerous volunteers from the community and the generous donations of books.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Volunteer Manager at [email protected] — they would love to have you be part of the team!

Side window facing west. $1@ book carts for fiction and nonfictionStore front at 513 Second Street.Interior as seen from front door.A small room for kids’ books!Dog friend

DuvalSpeck performing during Friday ArtAbout
 

2010-02-26 16:23:14   My two boys and I stopped here to shop on the second day of business for Logos Books, and we really loved the place. Susan and Peter introduced themselves to us, and they were really friendly and helpful. We picked out a book each, and found them to be reasonably priced. I saw plenty of poetry, and room in the front of the store for a small reading! Davis deserves more used bookstores, so I am pleased that Logos has joined us on 2nd Street. —DrandyJones

2010-03-13 11:01:20   I saw this place a couple of weeks ago and got really excited that there's a used bookstore in town now! I parked the car and walked straight in to check it out... but I didn't make it very far. The owner was sitting at the counter near the back of the store and stared at me as I entered. I smiled and continued in, but he kept staring at me until I finally realized he had something to say to me— he wanted me to leave my purse next to the door (and unattended— it might have been less worrisome if he had offered to hold it behind the counter instead) before I looked at books. I was about to comply, then changed my mind and left, extremely insulted.

My purse is not huge— sure I can fit a paperback in it, as I have before when I go someplace and want something to read— but I am no thief; I've never shoplifted anything in my life! To automatically imply to all women that they are thieves before they have even had a chance to enter the store is extremely insulting. I felt untrusted, judged and... well... insulted. To make matters worse, he wanted me to leave it next to the door on a little shelf where it would be unattended and any passer-by might be able to simply pick it up and walk off with it.

If the shop owner changed their policy and allowed women to keep their personal items with them while they shop, then I might consider coming back here. But as it is, the owner is displaying a complete lack of trust and respect for the women (and men?) shoppers who carry purses/satchels. Personally, that's not an attitude which I feel comfortable supporting with my business. —StephanieStudebaker

• From my limited experience with that bookstore situation, there's a discount book store that I went to in Berkeley that was all set up for putting your books by the counter. They probably didn't worry much about the hand bags, I guess. A shopkeeper should especially refrain from insult with the small purse. Without my showing respect as a night time cab driver in South Dallas, I could have been killed. I at least greatly reduced my risk by being respectful. —BruceHansen
• That is a bit strange considering I was in there a few weeks ago and had my large carrier bag on me as I perused books. They didn't say anything to me about it, though I did get the awkward vibe. If only they had music or something playing to cut the tension. —SunjeetBaadkar

2010-05-21 12:19:28   I've purchased a handful of books here for very cheap. Novels are usually two to four dollars and are at least acceptable condition, and frequently are quite good. Logos features a fairly amazing selection of foreign language fiction (French! German! Spanish!). The atmosphere is a bit dry (though I've never been asked to check my bag) and it is difficult to sell a book to them, but I usually stop in and poke around in here when I'm downtown. —bjahern

2011-01-28 13:44:05   Logos is a small bookstore but they have a very interesting selection of books. They often seem to have more varied and off-beat books than the larger bookstores in town. And they have always been polite and friendly when I have stopped in; I think I've even been in with a bookbag without being asked about it or stared at. It is worth stopping by the store if you are in the vicinity. —ToNils

2011-02-20 21:49:03   They were open and celebrating their 1 year anniversary today. It was the first time I've been in here and it is a pretty neat book-shop. —RohiniJasavala

2011-04-20 16:13:02   My favorite place in davis, hands down. They have a ton of rare editions of classic literature that are surprisingly inexpensive. —nqbui89

2020-08-14 10:31:00   Logos closed from March 13 to June 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The store hours are different, they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Until further notice, face masks and safe distancing are required inside of the store but they have free masks and latex gloves if you ask for them. They accept 3-4 bags of book donations at the store. If you have more books call them and they’ll tell you how to donate them. —paultakushi

2021-12-21 16:07:59   Store hours were changed to reflect special hours starting December 24, 2021 and ending on January 2, 2022. Regular store hours are Sunday 10am-6pm, Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-8pm. —paultakushi

2022-02-15 14:52:31   Mask mandate ends in Yolo County on February 16, 2022. Effective Wednesday, February 16, customers and volunteers at Logos Books will no longer be required to wear a mask if they are fully vaccinated. They will continue to run air purifiers during all times that the store is occupied. Read Yolo County’s full press release HERE —paultakushi