I have a life-long love affair with books. The best place for a tryst with books (besides the local library)?

Powell's City of Books (Burnside)
1005 W Burnside
Portland, OR 97209 USA

Powell's Technical Books
33 NW Park Avenue
Portland, OR 97209 USA

http://www.powells.com

800-878-7323 toll-free
503-228-4651 (Portland, Oregon area)

For the consumer:

• Frequently the best prices on new books


• Same selection of new books as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the other big chains
  
  
• Most impressive selection of used books (anywhere!)
  


• Powell's stores have the world's greatest hunker-down-and-read-a-book nooks


• 99¢ reusable book bags
  

For the employees

• Best trained, most highly skilled staff - unionized for excellent working conditions, best pay, progressive employer.


• Alternative Transportation Subsidies
  Powell's offers its employees a discount on bus passes, available as a pre-tax deduction, encouraging all employees to use public transportation for their work commute. Those who choose to bike to work may receive an annual bicycle maintenance subsidy.
  

For the Planet:

• In March 2007, Powell's signed an agreement with Portland General Electric to purchase Clean WindSM Power, offsetting 165,000 pounds of CO2 each year.
  


• Biodiesel Fuel -Powell's uses biodiesel fuel in delivery trucks that make daily rounds to Powell's stores and warehouses.
  


• Greening The Facilities - Powell's continues to explore environmentally responsible choices in construction materials and operating supplies. For example, the newly remodeled concourse D store at Portland International Airport incorporates Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood in cabinetry and shelving, energy-efficient lighting, and sustainable finishes.
  


• Coffee Shop Composting -At the City of Books (main store), the on-site cafe - World Cup Coffee and Tea - composts materials from its daily operations.
  


• Solar Energy At Powell's - there is a 100kW solar project at Powell's Books' NW Portland warehouse. The warehouse's structure provides abundant access to unshadowed
  roofspace making it a great candidate for solar panels. This installation is one of the largest solar arrays in Oregon, with 540 photovoltaic panels supplying approximately 25% of the building's electric needs.
  


• Paper bags are made from 100% recycled materials; plastic bags are available for those who carry (walking or biking, of course) their Powell's purchases through Portland's occasional rain.
  


• Powell's is working toward becoming green certified by the City of Portland's Recycleworks program - which involves a comprehensive audit of the company's operations, everything from waste prevention to purchasing recycled products.
  

Details? See http://www.powells.com/green/

Note: other than my obsession with visiting Powell's (online AND live), I have no financial connection with that operation. I do think I should be listed on their tax returns as a dependent.