A Community Service — and a Learning Opportunity
The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange and Community Store is a community service, but it is also much more than that.
The store is operated by my adopted local grandchildren. It provides an opportunity for the eldest to become self-sufficient while allowing both him and his younger sister to earn money toward their education.
I supervise them and teach practical business skills, including customer service, advertising, organization, responsibility, and money management.
We are extremely grateful that most of our customers have been wonderful. Many encourage the kids, compliment their work, and even leave them tips. Your kindness and support mean a great deal to us.
Please Respect Our Book Exchange Rules
The Book Exchange belongs to the entire community. Our rules are designed to keep a good selection of books available for everyone.
- Everyone must complete a membership form.
- Exchanges are limited to TWO books per person, per visit.
- There is a $10-peso maintenance fee for each exchanged book.
- An additional book without an eligible exchange is $50 pesos.
- Bringing in a box or large quantity of books does not allow you to take an equal number of books at one time.
Examples
Bring 1 eligible book + take 1 book = $10 pesos
Bring 1 eligible book + take 2 books = $60 pesos
The $60 total consists of the $10 maintenance fee for the exchanged book plus $50 for the additional book.
Maximum: TWO Books Per Person, Per Visit
This rule exists for a reason.
Limiting exchanges to two books helps ensure that everyone has a good selection to choose from and prevents large numbers of books from being removed from circulation at one time.
Even if you bring a box of books to donate, the two-book limit still applies.
Not Every Book Qualifies for Exchange
We greatly appreciate book donations, but not every donated book qualifies for exchange credit.
Our Book Exchange primarily needs novels and other general-interest reading material that can be circulated among our members.
Books that generally do not qualify for exchange include:
- Outdated travel and tour guides
- Dictionaries
- Instructional or “how-to” books with little current demand
- Severely damaged, moldy, or otherwise unusable books
Please understand that donating unwanted or ineligible books does not create exchange credit.
We are working on separate areas for children’s books, religious books, how-to books, and guidebooks. Donations in these categories may still be appreciated even when they do not qualify for the regular exchange.
Please Help Us Teach, Not Discourage
This little store is helping two young people learn how to work, deal with customers, manage money, follow rules, and take responsibility.
They are learning, and I am very proud of the work they are doing.
I ask our customers to please support that learning experience.
Please do not pressure the kids to ignore the rules, argue with them over a few pesos, or take advantage of their age or inexperience.
The rules apply to everyone, and the young people working in the store have my full authority to enforce them.
A very sincere thank you to the overwhelming majority of our customers and Book Exchange members who treat them with kindness, patience, encouragement, and respect.
Your support helps keep The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange available to the community while helping these young people develop valuable skills and work toward a better future.
A Labor of Love
The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange has been a true labor of love.
Countless hours have gone into unpacking, sorting, organizing, and alphabetizing hundreds of books. One of our biggest challenges has been finding creative ways to make room for our growing collection.
The Book Exchange now occupies more than half of the Community Store!
We continue to organize and improve the collection so that books are easier for our members to find and enjoy.
Why Is There a $10-Peso Maintenance Fee?
There is a $10-peso maintenance charge for each exchanged book.
This fee goes to Julian, who disinfects the front and back covers and returns each book to its proper place on the shelves.
Your donations and support also help us maintain and expand the Book Exchange and Community Store.
Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Other hours are available by appointment.
Call Julian: 987 118 8020
Where to Find Us
The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange & Community Store
35 Avenida between Calles 17 and 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia, Cozumel
Debit and credit cards accepted.
Donations can also be made through Zelle, Xoom, or PayPal.
Thank You for Supporting Our Community
Whether you exchange a book, donate books, shop in our Community Store, or simply encourage the kids, you are helping us continue a community service while giving two young people valuable real-world work experience.
Thank you for helping us keep The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange welcoming, organized, fair, and available to everyone.
35 Avenida entre Calles 17 / 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia, Cozumel
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