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For some, the hardest items to declutter are books. But one of the most common questions I get asked is, “Where can I donate books?”
It’s an interesting paradox when you think about it. But the struggle and the question are probably related. Books are an important part of our lives but many of us still struggle with what to do with old books. When we decide it’s time to part with them, we want to know they are going to a nice home where they can continue to enrich and improve other people’s lives.
Where to Donate Books
In order to provide a thoughtful and thorough answer to the question above, I’ve spent time researching the most current and up-to-date places you can go to donate books.
You can donate books at several locations in your city, including:
1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest providers of social aid. Proceeds from their stores are used to fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where those in the grip of addiction find help, hope, and a second chance at life. Find a location near you.
2. Goodwill
Goodwill is a non-profit organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have barriers preventing them from otherwise obtaining a job. They are often conveniently located and you can find a drop-off location near you on their site.
3. Local Libraries
As with most places on this list, it is wise and courteous to call in advance for specifics on current needs. Many local libraries do not have space or time to sort through large collections of books. Check to see if they are looking for current titles, or organizing a community book sale in the near future.
4. Vietnam Veterans of America
VVA is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of veterans. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government. Check out their convenient Pickup service for availability in your area.
5. Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Proceeds from ReStores are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter in local communities and around the world. Check out their website for locations near you.
6. Other Local Charities
Donation Town connects donors with charities all over the country that offer free donation pick up service. Use their website to locate local charities willing to come pick up your gently used book donation.
7. Local Theaters
If your books are historical in nature, check with your local theater and/or museum. Books may be used as props during performances or as display exhibits in local museums.
8. Retirement Homes
As with other places offered on this list, be sure to call and inquire about the current level of need to ensure that your donation is not a burden.
9. Kids Need to Read
Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children. They accept “like new” children’s books that are not scribbled upon or visibly damaged. Visit their website here.
10. Reader to Reader
Reader to Reader, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding literacy and learning opportunities for the nation’s most chronically underserved and vulnerable communities, including inner-city schools, Native American reservations, and poor rural towns. Find a donation program near you.
11. African Library Project
ALP is dedicated to creating African libraries by organizing the shipment of gently-used books through book drives in the United States. You can find a local book drive or better yet, organize your own.
12. Books for Africa.
Books for Africa collects, sorts, ships, and distributes books to students of all ages in Africa with the goal of ending the book famine in Africa.
13. Books Through Bars
Books Through Bars works to provide quality reading material to prisoners in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
14. Prison Book Programs
Prison Book Program is a grassroots organization that exists for one purpose—to send free books to prisoners. In addition to the work they do, they also keep a current list of local organizations (in your area) doing the same thing.Find their list here.
15. Books for Soldiers
Operation Paperback Books for Soldiers / Operation Paperback collects gently-used books and sends them to American troops overseas, as well as veterans and military families here at home. To begin the shipment process, sign up here.
16. Better World Books
BWB collects and sells books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide. You can find more about their donation process here.
17. Bookmooch
If you are looking to receive books back in exchange for your donation, try Bookmooch, a community for exchanging used books.
18. Re-book It (Los Angeles)
Re-Book It is a free community pick-up service provided by The Last Bookstore to ensure that no books end up in landfills, but instead find new homes in the hands of readers.
19. Freecycle
Freecycle is a free, local online bulletin board dedicated to reusing goods. Create an account, post a brief description of the books you are looking to donate, and see if anyone local is interested in taking them.
20. Ask Your Friends and Family
If you have friends and family who love reading, why not ask them if there’s anything they’re interested in reading before you donate? After they’re done with your books, they can then donate using the list above.
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Here are a few other places doing cool stuff with books. They are not accepting book donations at this time—but if you want to financially support reading programs, here are a couple to look into: United Through Reading and Reading Education Assistance Dogs.
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As I’ve mentioned a few times in this post, please be courteous and thoughtful when you wish to donate books. Whenever possible, call ahead to be sure your book donation is needed—citing specific genres when possible. Keep in mind that quality, gently-used books will always be most appreciated. And consider sorting your books prior to donating.
Be a blessing, not a burden. Donate books responsibly.
Kathleen Veltsos says
Some towns also have small little book kiosks. They are made by scouts I believe. In my town they are found in walkways to the beach and in the parks. They are donated books in a lifted wooden box with a plexiglass door. Very convenient and a lovely sight.
Ann lewis says
I’m having such a difficult time with this.ive given away about 1200 of my library and am down to the final 300. Lots of them I haven’t read yet, but I could buy later, digitally if I donated the books. Others are not available digitally and are ones I like to flip through or re-read. Feeling like I should donate the ones that have digital versions.
Susan Vogt says
As the once proud and semi-guilty owner of over 1,500 books, several years ago I took about a month to prune through them. Although the most relevant to Josh’s current topic is my “Where to Take post, readers may also find value in the prior steps of “Book Criteria” – deciding what to keep and what to give away. Just click on the Books tag of my Living Lightly blog to see 10 posts about how to discern what books are worth keeping at home and which can find a better home. Thanks for all the research you did on this, Joshua.
Annie says
You could start a book swap table at work. In my office building we have a coffee table in the lobby where people can leave books for others to read.
If anyone owns a cafe or coffee shop maybe they want to do something similar?..
Roger says
VA Hospitals have free book stands at several kiosks through out the facility and accept donations.
DIANE says
I have a Little Free Library we take on camping trips. Always nice to get donations although I have used my own money for books also. I also offer books to coworkers I know that have small children but finances are tight
Mike says
Diane, I love your idea of having a mobile Free Little Library. I’m going to try this!
P. Adediran says
I would like to donate books as well sell them since I want to get rid of them. Since it’s a waste of space for me and rather have someone else enjoy the books rather keep them.
Linda Romero says
Currently, some Books A Million bookstores are buying used books. Also, some buy used music CD’s.
Kristal says
Great list! Also, try local used book stores, free little libraries or Kijiji
Helen says
I donate my books to local charities and have replaced the ones I wanted to keep with electronic ones. Takes up less space and feels refreshing!
Anya says
I wonder whether Little Free Libraries accept books as well as offering them—probably depends on the owner. I bring some books to the book sale of the local library (they have their own used book shop), and I clip off our address label and donate kids’ magazines (Highlights, Ranger Rick, etc.) to the waiting room of the community clinic where I work.
J. Money says
Oh yeah! I donate books all the time to tiny libraries – it has to go both ways or else there would be no books in them! :) It’s all donated and swapped around stuff. (I like to put books on coin collecting and personal finance in them too – two of my hobbies to hopefully get others interested as well, haha… even though I’m sure they’re the last books to be picked up ;))
Susan R says
YES! I am the secretary for our local Rotary Club and many Little Free Libraries across the country are built, installed and managed by Rotarians. The sole purpose of the libraries is for “exchange” purposes (give a book, take a book). Our club has installed 2 LFL’s and is about to install a third. We love that our community helps us by regularly filling the library with books for people of all ages! We do check on it weekly to ensure that all books are “kid-friendly”.
Katharine says
They do! Most note “Take a book; return/leave a book.”