The space lovingly known as the Book Center (sometimes called the Book Barn, the Library, the Book Place, the Book Shop, the Once-Read Book Shop) has reopened as the 577 Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. Explore the new space by browsing the collection of thousands of gently-used books with selections for all ages and interests. View the new display of handmade pottery for sale created by students at 577. Plus, crafters, teachers, artists, and students will love browsing the large selection of art supplies now available. 577 staff is available to answer any questions on items available, upcoming classes, and more.
Many thanks to the First Solar Community Giving Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation for grant funding to convert the Book Center to the Curiosity Shop!
Shop Hours
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays: Closed
- Wednesdays, 10am to 4pm
- Thursdays, 10am to 4pm
- Fridays, 10am to 4pm
- Saturdays, 10am to 4pm
- Sundays: Closed
Donations
- Donations of up to two (2) boxes or bags of gently-used and like-new books and art supplies are accepted during open hours. Information on the full list of accepted items is in the section below.
What’s in the Shop?
Books & Magazines
Take your time browsing the collection of thousands of gently-used books with selections for all ages and interests. New books are added almost every day!
- A robust Adult Fiction section features beloved and bestselling authors.
- An expanded children’s corner includes more seating to sit and read together or for little ones to explore books at their height.
- Need help figuring out what’s for dinner? Check out the large selection of cookbooks – brand new and vintage!
- Love gardening? Stroll through the gardens for inspiration and then browse the gardening section to help with your next project.
- Non-fiction sections include Autobiography/Biography, Sports, History, Business, Spirituality, Science, Self-Help, Parenting, and more.
- Read up on the latest news by browsing our magazine collection.
- A variety of large print books are available.
- A limited selection of puzzles and games can be found, while supplies last.
Art & Craft Supplies
A corner of the Curiosity Shop is now dedicated to like-new and gently-used art supplies. Crafters, teachers, artists, and students can browse a large selection of art supplies for use in their classrooms or at home.
Items like yarn, paint, fabric, brushes, canvases, embellishments, and more are now available (items will vary based on donations). Each visit will be a quest to find that perfect yarn color or an item for a new art adventure!
Handmade Pottery
Each year, more than 50 students and professional potters donate 100’s of their handmade pots in support of the pottery program at 577. View the newest pieces on display and find the perfect gift for you to adopt and take home.
Local Honey
We are thrilled that our volunteer beekeeper and owner of Waterville Bee Works, Dan Bollett, has poured this liquid gold into bottles and it is now available again in the shop. Three sizes available, including 1 lb jars of dark honey.
Plants & Gardening Supplies
Take home a piece of 577 with one of our unique arrangements. Succulents were propagated by 577 staff from cuttings in the Biodome.
Upcoming this spring: Our horticulture team is hard at work planning and growing a variety of organic heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers loved by pollinators, succulents, and water plants. Look for details on the Spring Plant Sale in May soon.
Community Art Work
577 is excited to announce that we will soon be featuring local artists in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. Our goal is to provide a platform for artists to share their work with the public and to support the local art community.
Each quarter, we will select one to three artists to showcase their work by providing them a space to display their artwork in the Welcome Center. This will give the artist the opportunity to reach a wider audience and potentially sell their work to folks who visit the 577.
In addition to supporting local artists, we also believe that featuring original artwork in the shop adds value for our visitors. Original art can add a unique and personal touch to any space, and we hope that you enjoy seeing the work of talented artists from Perrysburg and the greater Northwest Ohio & Southwest Michigan area.
If you are an artist based in Northwest Ohio or Southeast Michigan and are interested in being featured in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop at 577, please contact Program Assistant Isabelle Tucker by email at itucker@577foundation.org for more information.
We can’t wait to see the amazing art that our community has to offer.
Donation Guidelines
Book Donation Guidelines
Donations of up to two (2) boxes or bags of gently-used and like-new books and art supplies are accepted without an appointment. If you have more than two boxes, please give us a call at 419-874-4174 to inquire about setting up an appointment.
We are currently accepting:
- Children & Young Adult Books
- Hardback & Paperback: Fiction
- Hardback & Paperback: Nonfiction (within 10 years)
- Cookbooks & Gardening Books (within 10 years)
- Travel & Technology Books (within 5 years)
- Oversized Books
- Arts & Crafts Books
- Rare or Local Books
- Magazines (within 1 year)
We do not accept:
- Damaged books that have broken bindings, missing pages, yellowed or soiled pages, or that smell of smoke, or mildew, or are excessively dirty or dusty
- Clearly outdated materials including, but not limited to: travel, legal, tax, medical, health books
- Magazines older than 1 year
- Encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest, or Textbooks
- DVDs, CDS, cassette tapes, records, or other media
- Computer software or equipment
Art/Craft Donation Guidelines
Divert usable materials from the landfill by donating reusable like-new art supplies. Local creatives, makers, and teachers will have access to inexpensive, quality materials, and you’ll also help the environment.
Donations of like-new and gently used art supplies are accepted on open shop days and limited to two boxes/bags. If you have more than two boxes, please give us a call at 419-874-4174 to inquire about setting up an appointment.
We are looking for the following items:
- paints (watercolor, acrylic/craft, gouache, oil)
- yarn and knitting tools
- canvases
- table looms
- printmaking supplies
- embroidery hoops
- darning mushrooms
- photography equipment
- paintbrushes
- embroidery floss
- colored pencils
- crayons
- pastels (oil & chalk)
- gesso
- art papers
- glue
- inks
- markers
- clean sponges
- scissors
- rulers
- basket weaving materials and tools
- wood carving & burning tools
- pottery tools (no clay or slip molds)
- fabrics in usable yardage
- sketchbooks