Websters Bookstore Cafe

Webster's has a constant influx of new books thanks to the students, faculty, and other highly educated people that populate the area surrounded Penn State. While it's not tidy (books can be stacked up all over the place), Webster's has a great selection in catagories such as literature, history, science, philosophy, psychology, and more. They have a "room" that is dedicated to children's books that is particularly fun. They will also buy your books (either giving you money or trade (more books!)). They also make a mean iced coffee at their "cafe"-- and sometimes their workers are particularly yummy as well. more

There are quite a few "student" book stores near the Penn State campus, but they all specialize in new and used text books and Penn State merchanidise. Webster's is the only place on campus that doesn't rely on blue and white merchandise to make business. They are a very typical independent book store, books are organized by subject then by author, prices usually can be found in pencil inside the front cover. They have a nice selection: you can find household name authors like Hemingway and Melville, but you can also come across lesser known cult literary authors like Yukio Mishima and Thomas Pynchon. Prices are reasonable, and the organization makes finding books fairly easy. There is also a cafe that makes a decent espresso and has some nice baked goods. Seating is limited and during the semester it usually gone. more

Websters is the quintessential college-town used bookstore. They've got a huge variety of every genre imaginable--and they also have some new books. They even have cute gifts and cards (I saw pet sympathy cards there for when a loved one's pet dies). Also, you can bring used books in if you have an appointment and sell them for store credit/cash. Great way to recycle and still get books for those bibliophiles out there. more