Is Brookline Booksmith open for business?

Yes! Our newly expanded store at 279 Harvard Street in Brookline, MA is open for browsing, phone assistance, and curbside pickup. Please visit our About page for our most up-to-date hours. We are also open 24/7 to take orders right here on our website.

How long will it take you to process my online order?

Online orders typically take about 24 hours to process. If your order includes items that are out of stock or on hold for other customers, it will take additional time for more copies to be shipped to us (usually 3-5 business days.) If you need a book immediately, please call the store at 617-566-6660 to make your purchase over the phone. During the holiday season, wait times may be longer.

How can I tell if a book is in stock?

If a listing on our website says “Likely On Our Shelves,” that means we probably have a copy in stock. If it says "Out of Stock In Store," you can still place an order and we will request the book(s) from our distributor. However, please note that our website is not updated in real-time, and it does not reflect items that are on hold for other customers. If you want to double-check an item's availability, please call the store at 617-566-6660.

If a book I ordered is out of stock, how long will it take the Brookline Booksmith to get it?

Out of stock titles typically take about 3-5 business days to arrive at the store, but some titles may take longer. We will give you our best estimate when we confirm your order. However, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates.

Can I pick up my order at the store?

Yes! Pre-paid orders and other holds are located at our cash registers, which are next to our second entrance at 283 Harvard St.

Do you offer local delivery?

No, we do not offer local delivery.

Can my order be shipped?

Yes, if you are shipping within the United States. Unfortunately, we do not ship internationally at this time. We offer USPS Priority Mail (2-5 business days) and USPS Media Mail (10 or more business days). Please note that Media Mail is not insured. Missing package claims must be made with the post office.

Please Note: If some of the books that you request are out of stock at the store and need to be ordered, we will wait to ship your order until we receive all of your books. If you would prefer for your books to be shipped as they are available, there will be an additional shipping fee for each package.

How much does shipping cost?

• USPS Priority Mail: $9.00 + $1.00 per item
• USPS Media Mail: $5.00 + $1.00 per item

Where can I find the tracking information for my order?

As soon as the shipping label has been printed for your online order, you will receive an automated email with the USPS tracking number. If you haven't received that email, you can also contact us at orders@brooklinebooksmith.com for more information.

What if my package is lost in the mail?

Any missing package claims must be made with the USPS directly. Brookline Booksmith is not responsible for packages lost in the mail.

Do you offer discounts?

Brookline Booksmith Members enjoy 20% discounts in-store, online, and by phone during our Bi-Annual Members Sale. Dates of the sales will be announced in advance on our website and our newsletter.

A small discount is also available for Bicycle Benefit Members, book clubs, Brookline Arts Center Members, Coolidge Corner Theater Members, Grub Street Members, senior citizens, teachers and librarians, and WBUR, WGBH, and WUMB members. Discounts are available on full-priced books only (not on used books, bargain books, or our gift items.) Please request your discount before your order is rung up.

If you are ordering online, please use the Order Comments field to request your discount. It will be applied manually when your order is processed.

What payment methods are accepted on the website?

All major credit cards, debit cards, and our Brookline Booksmith gift cards can be used on our site. Your card will be charged when you check out. Please note that a U.S. billing address is required for online credit card purchases on our website. If you are ordering from abroad, please call us at 617-566-6660 to place your order over the phone.

If I need to cancel my order, what do I do?

Please contact us by phone at 617-566-6660 or by email at orders@brooklinebooksmith.com if you need to cancel your order. If your order has already been completed, we cannot refund you through the website and will need to do so over the phone or at the store.

Can my order be gift-wrapped?

No. However, we do selling wrapping paper and gift bags in our store by the cash registers.

Can I include a gift message with my order?

Yes. At checkout, if you select "Yes, I want a gift receipt," there is an option to include a short gift message.

What can I purchase on your website?

On our website, you can purchase any full-priced book that we carry (or that is available for us to order) as well as a selection of our bargain books. For used books and gift items, please visit the store or call us at 617-566-6660 to purchase these items over the phone.

Can I buy self-published books, textbooks, or out-of-print books on your website?

No. If you want to double-check if a given book is available, please call us at 617-566-6660 or email us at orders@brooklinebooksmith.com.

Do you offer digital gift cards?

No. We only sell physical gift cards at this time. They can either be mailed to a recipient free of charge or they can be picked up at the store. The physical gift cards can be redeemed online, over the phone, or in the store.

Do you sell digital audiobooks?

Yes! We are partnered with Libro.FM to provide high-quality, DRM-free audiobooks. They offer both a subscription service and one-time audiobook purchases. You can read more about the program here.

Do you sell ebooks?

At this time, no. There are currently no ebook companies endorsed by the American Booksellers Association that work with independent bookstores. We are hopeful that this will change in the future, though!

I have a question about author events. Who should I contact?

You can find information about our events line-up on our events page. Each event has a detailed listing with ticketing information and more. Our events team can also be reached at tickets@brooklinebooksmith.com.

What are the COVID-19 safety protocols the store is following?

We are taking every precaution to protect the health and safety of our customers and staff. There is easy-to-access hand sanitizer in the store, and surfaces, baskets, and other commonly-touched items are frequently cleaned. Although the town of Brookline does not require masking in indoor public spaces at this time, per CDC guidance, we strongly encourage all visitors to wear a face mask while in the store. Complementary disposable masks are available for customers at both of our entrances upon request.