Open Books is a local nonprofit bookstore and community project in downtown Pensacola. The bookstore is entirely run by volunteers, with all proceeds going to support the Prison Book Project which donates books to inmates throughout Florida prisons. The project itself has been in the works since 1999, with the CORE (Collective of Resource Empowerment) House. 

This info-shop started in downtown Pensacola in hopes of tackling issues within the community, such as poverty and homelessness. The house soon grew, building a library of books, but eventually shutting down just a year later. This, however, was not the end of the library. They decided to open a used bookstore, selling their used books and using the funds to donate the other books to inmates. 

Throughout the next few years, Open Books moved around, eventually settling down to its current location at 1040 N. Guillemard St., not far from the heart of downtown Pensacola. Roughly 10,000 books are sent to prisons every year, and the project serves around 2,000 inmates each year. If you are looking for a new book for cheap, Open Books has got you covered. Walking in the doors, you’ll find Open Books houses a plethora of different genres, from romance and poetry to biographies and non-fiction, and more. It is open from 12-5pm every single day of the week.