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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.
Pamela Ousby says
I am currently working on building a nonprofit book donation agency
Pamela says
Where are you located?
carole gilbert says
B36 9JL
Cherine Garrett says
I have vintage books from the 1800’s. 1900’s. Are you interested in them? All school books. All hardbacks
Castle of Kidbooks says
You can donate second hand books and children books to Castle of KidBooks. To get children books and gift boxes visit our website or contact admins
Deb says
We are a small town senior housing site and we have many different types of books we would like to donate. They range from fiction to non-fiction, science, arts & crafts, history, medical etc. Since we are located in such an isolated area, finding a place to donate has been difficult. Does anyone have a suggestion? Our local surrounding areas are not taking donations at this time.
Pamela Ousby says
I have had the same dilemma. I am currently working on a non profit book donation station. If all goes well this endeavor will be in motion in the near future.
Ray K says
Most of these organizations are good suggestions, but please do not donate to Salvation Army. They are not a non profit, and while they do participate in some charitable work they will only provide to those who are Christian and will try to force people to convert by holding their needs over their heads. They actively oppose LGBTQ+ rights and even petitioned for a bill that will allow they execution of LGBTQ+ individuals and there have been countless cases of physical, sexual, emotional, and mental abuses to those who sought shelter from them by employees. Additionally, most of their money does not actually go towards their charity work but instead towards lobbying for their political beliefs.
Rich Miller says
From my understanding of the Salvation Army, yes it has a basis in Christianity, but the rest of your comment is woefully inaccurate.
Kim k.a says
I agree.
Kathy Merlino says
100% inaccurate other than being Christian. I grew up in the Salvation Army Church, my mother was a Salvation Army Officer and know for a fact that people in need are not refused help love and compassion based on their religious beliefs.
As far as your comments on LGBQT I know that everyone has a different opinion, views, & the right to make their own choices and I firmly believe that you would not be denied help and support just because they may not share your same views and opinions.
I will definitely continue to support the Salvation Army. Without them so many people would suffer and go without unnecessarily.
Charity Lane says
I would as a general rule, rather donate to the Salvation Army. Giving my things for them to then go and make a profit just doesn’t seem right! I should do some research and see what their CEO and other upper executives make!
Mary Barrett says
The head of the Salvation wrote a memo stating that we all must apologize for our racism and need to give more. The Washington Post published it. The guy denied it, and when it was shown to him in black and white, he backpedaled. I will not give anything to the Salvation Army ever again. I helped our Hmong Refugees in the 1980’s, I have a beautiful black grandson, and I do not have a racist cell in my body. I tell others about this, and I will NEVER have anything to do with the Salvation Army again. The info about being against the LGBTQ+ community above is also true. They are not as holy as they would like people to believe.
E Johnson says
Anecdotal stories are not representative of an entire organization. It is irresponsible to bad-mouth an organization that does so much good in so many ways, just because of a few anecdotal stories. There are imperfect people in every organization. I don’t doubt that imperfect people do imperfect things while serving or working for the Salvation Army. People are people. But if you do the research you will find, like others have mentioned, the SA does an incredible amount of good for hurting people, in practical ways, and have done so since their founding in England. I was at Ground Zero after 9/11 where SA had a meal tent set up to serve free wholesome meals to all the workers, all day every day, 24/7, for months! Hundreds of people came from all over the country to volunteer in that tent to serve free food without preaching to anybody. They just served and loved people with humility and compassion. The number of people that have been directly helped in practical ways by the Salvation Army is hard to calculate, the number is so big. Just because SA may not agree with your political views is a pathetic reason to slander them. You want to have your own freedom of speech but you won’t allow them to? That’s very hypocritical. I was so inspired listening to the biography on tape of their founder William Booth. I was previously unaware of the immense impact SA has had on British and American society. One of the biggest things they do is help people get jobs, overcome alcohol and drug addiction, and get them on their feet again.
Jubal Kane says
Pissed they didn’t have any books in a fairy tale series you wanted for free?
Lisa says
That is not true. The Salvation Army helped my neighbor after her husband died. They helped with her kids, bills, food, transportation, etc. She told me they were her absolute life saver and now that she is firmly on her feet, she volunteers their to help others.
Scheila Hufford says
You have to remember also, that the Salvation Army helps people with addictive personalities. They have great programs that are free for them. They assist in housing therapy and general care for a human being so don’t write them off completely. There’s always going to be something you don’t like about certain organizations. There is no black and white. Yes you can choose who you give your money in books too but just because they don’t believe in one thing that you do believe in doesn’t mean they’re not a good organization.
David S Wielhouwer says
As a christian myself im opposed to comments like this. When the lgbtvxyz! clan does 1% of what the salvation army does for the needy then you can comment. I notice a christian school gets shot up by a trans person and where is the outrage? Ridiculous
Nunya says
Whatever everything isn’t about you!!
Luval Agbanijab says
Please ignore Ray K. Obviously he has an axe to grind.
H P Samarasekara says
Please arrange some books for our library
Prof. S. S. Lahiri says
I have few technical books to donate. It includes
Microbiology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Animal Husbandry, C+ computer, Spiritual, Prepared Projects on biotech, etc. About 20 to 30 used books in good condition.
Sandra Lindsay says
I found a box of Jewish books in my attic. I think the previous owners left it. Not sure where to donate them in south Florida. Any ideas?
robkap says
Any synagogue or Jewish old age home
Kay says
Helping a friend clean out house we found a set of Encyclopedias, and are having a difficult time finding a place to donate. Use of the internet pretty much eliminated such resource materials. Any idea as to where we can take them. I’m trying hard to not rip them apart just to be recycled.
Rev. Dr. Levi Nyondo , Malawi, Africa says
please can you donate some books to Ekwendeni Theological college, box 112, Mzuzu, Malawi, Africa. We are a college or campus and we seriously need library books from primary to university level of : english, christianity, mathematics, Biology, philosophy, geography, Bibles, etc.
SY Allen says
I have many primary and university math books. How expensive is it to ship them to you. Alsoc, if you have other people shipping books perhaps we could combine the shiopment. I live in Michigan.
MARGARET STAMPER says
Do you still need books?
K.A. West says
Where are you located, and how can I get historic, ecological, and other technical books of Africa to you? Andrew West
K.A. West says
Thank you, Rev Dr Nyondo. Andrew West
Deepti says
I want medical books can any one donate
Marjorie Smith says
I have several old medical textbooks from the 90’s to about 2010 to donate.
Where are you located? I will not ship the books due to cost.
Thomas L GArvin MD says
I have several. What years will you accept? Mine start in the 1960’s.
Kelly says
Which subjects/types are you looking for?
Lazaro Hernandez says
I have multiple medical books in excellent conditions to donate, other wise I will need to recycle them.
Selma Larson says
I have my mother’s old textbooks from nursing school. Some on infection control and immunology. As always, please note that we do not burn or throw out books. We keep and savor them … however, we are older now and must minimize our loved belongings.
Dasia says
Hi, I am a college student in Florida and I am looking for books. I love to read and I also want to encourage my siblings and nieces and nephew’s to read as well. I think reading is important and I really want my family to pursue it.
I would love if anyone can send me some books. I don’t mind how many.
Claudia Naber says
Hi Dasia, where can I send them? Claudia
Jared Herstine says
What kind of books and where do I send them