Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your store located?
See location.
Where can I park?
There are several nearby parking options:
- The Albert St. lot (on Albert, east of MAC Ave.)
- The Grove Street ramp (on Grove, across from the 7-11 on Albert)
- The ramp behind our building (on the southwest corner of Charles and Albert)
- The large multi-colored ramp (west side of Division, between Grand River and Albert)
- Any available street spaces
Do you validate parking?
We do! Curious Book Shop can provide parking validation for the Albert St. lot or the ramps. We cannot pay for metered parking, however, street meters do not operate on Sundays in East Lansing.
Do you sell textbooks?
Usually not. You might find novels for your English classes, but we don't cater to the book lists for courses. We generally recommend the Collegeville Textbook Company, located a few doors down from us.
Do you sell comic books?
We have some comics at our store. Our classic comics are located on a rack at the end of the front counter, and most of our manga is located upstairs.
How is your store laid out?
Our inventory covers three floors—the main floor, upstairs, and the basement. See store layout.
Do you have a list of the items you carry at the moment?
Not really. The store is organized by genre, and alphabetical by author; if we have the item in stock, one of our helpful staff members can usually help you find what you're looking for. However, there are some items listed on our online inventory.
How do I get upstairs?
Before you enter the shop, there is another door to the left, around the discount cart. If the door is closed, ask someone inside the shop to let you in. If the door is open, you can go right up the stairs to our top floor.
Do you buy books?
Yes, but...see book-buying policy.
Do you do appraisals?
If you have items that you wish to have appraised, please call ahead and set up an appointment with the owner, Ray Walsh. There is no charge for verbal appraisals that do not require research (maximum three items).
Written appraisals, for valuation, donation, estate or insurance purposes, have a minimum charge of $50. Standard appraisal fees are $50 per hour. Appraisal fees for items requiring research begin at $5 per item and escalate, depending on the research time required.
Ray Walsh has performed appraisals for a variety of institutions, including Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, Michigan State University, Burton Historical Collections, and the Detroit Public Library.
Ray is often in the shop on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 3:00 PM.
Do you have other locations?
Yes, we have two other locations.
Archives Book Shop
517 W. Grand River
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-8444
The Mega Mall
15487 US 27
Lansing, MI (two miles south of I-69)
Are there other bookshops in Michigan that you recommend?
The 2009 edition of our bookseller directory, published by the Mid-Michigan Antiquarian Book Dealers Association, is now available. This directory lists Michigan dealers specializing in out-of-print, used and rare books. Their primary stock consists of old hardback books—many dealers carry remainders, paperbacks, magazines, sheet music, prints or ephemera. Seven Michigan book binders are listed at the end of the directory.
For ease of reference, dealers and book binders are classified and listed geographically. Maps indicate approximate regional locations, and an alphabetical index is provided at the end of the directory.
You may obtain a copy free of charge by sending a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope to this address:
Mid-Michigan Antiquarian Book Dealers Association
attn: Directories
307 E. Grand River Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823