For book lovers, parting with books can feel like saying goodbye to old friends. Books hold stories, memories, and knowledge, making them more than just paper and ink. However, decluttering is a necessary part of life, and sometimes, it’s time to let go of some volumes. If you’re facing a bookshelf overflowing and wondering, “Where Can You Donate Books?”, you’re not alone. It’s a common question with a heartwarming motivation: we want our beloved books to continue enriching lives and find new appreciative homes. This guide provides a thorough and updated list of places where you can donate books, ensuring your literary treasures find the best possible second chapter.
Top Places to Donate Your Used Books
Discover numerous locations in your community and beyond where your gently used books can make a real difference. From charitable organizations to local initiatives, here’s a detailed list to help you find the perfect home for your book donations:
1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army stands as a global beacon of social aid, and donating your books is a powerful way to support their impactful work. Proceeds generated from Salvation Army stores directly fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers. These centers offer vital support, hope, and a path to recovery for individuals battling addiction. By donating your books, you contribute to giving someone a second chance at life. To find a Salvation Army donation center near you, visit their website to locate the nearest drop-off point.
2. Goodwill
Goodwill is another well-respected non-profit organization with a mission to empower individuals facing employment barriers. They provide crucial job training, employment placement services, and various community-based programs. Donating books to Goodwill directly supports these initiatives, helping people gain skills and find meaningful employment. Goodwill stores are widespread and conveniently located. You can easily find a drop-off location in your area by checking their official website.
3. Local Libraries
Your local library is a natural fit when considering book donations. Libraries are community hubs for knowledge and reading. However, it’s essential to contact your local library before dropping off a donation. Library needs vary; they may be seeking specific types of books, particularly current titles, or they might be organizing a book sale to raise funds. Calling ahead ensures your donation aligns with their current requirements and is genuinely helpful.
4. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of veterans from all eras. Funded entirely by public support, without government contributions, VVA relies on donations to sustain its vital programs. Donating books to VVA is a meaningful way to support veterans and their families. They offer a convenient pickup service in many areas, making donation easy and impactful. Check their website to see if pickup is available in your location.
5. Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers that accept a variety of items, including books. Proceeds from ReStore sales directly support Habitat for Humanity’s mission: building strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter in local communities and worldwide. Donating books to ReStore contributes to providing affordable housing and empowering families. Find a ReStore location near you on their website.
6. Local Charities via Donation Town
Donation Town acts as a valuable bridge connecting donors with local charities across the nation that offer free donation pickup services. If you prefer the convenience of pickup, Donation Town is an excellent resource. Their website allows you to easily locate local charities in your area that are willing to pick up your gently used book donations, simplifying the donation process significantly.
7. Local Theaters and Museums
If your book collection includes historical titles, consider reaching out to local theaters or museums. These institutions often seek books as props for performances or as part of display exhibits. Donating relevant books to theaters or museums can give them a unique second life, contributing to cultural and educational experiences within your community. Contact them to inquire about their needs and interests.
8. Retirement Homes and Senior Centers
Retirement homes and senior centers are often grateful recipients of book donations, providing reading materials for their residents. However, as with any donation, it’s crucial to call ahead and inquire about their current needs. Confirm if they are accepting book donations and if there are specific genres or types of books that would be most appreciated by the residents. This ensures your donation is helpful and not burdensome.
9. Kids Need to Read
Kids Need to Read is a non-profit organization with a focused mission: to cultivate a love of reading in children. They achieve this by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children. They welcome donations of “like new” children’s books – books that are free from scribbles and visible damage. If you have children’s books in excellent condition, visit their website to learn how to donate and support their valuable work.
10. Reader to Reader
Reader to Reader, Inc. is dedicated to expanding literacy and learning opportunities for underserved communities across the nation. They focus on chronically underserved and vulnerable populations, including inner-city schools, Native American reservations, and impoverished rural towns. Donating to Reader to Reader directly impacts literacy in areas where resources are most needed. Explore their website to find a donation program near you and contribute to their mission of educational equity.
11. African Library Project
The African Library Project (ALP) is dedicated to a remarkable goal: creating libraries in Africa. They achieve this by organizing shipments of gently-used books collected through book drives in the United States. You can participate by finding a local book drive or even take a more active role by organizing your own book drive. Donating to ALP contributes to building literacy and educational infrastructure across Africa.
12. Books for Africa
Books for Africa is an organization focused on ending the book famine in Africa. They collect, sort, ship, and distribute books to students of all ages throughout the continent. By donating your books to Books for Africa, you directly contribute to providing educational resources and fostering literacy for countless individuals in Africa, making a significant global impact.
13. Books Through Bars
Books Through Bars is a dedicated project providing quality reading materials to incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Access to books is crucial for education, rehabilitation, and personal growth within prisons. Donating to Books Through Bars supports this important cause, offering valuable resources to those who need them. Check their website for donation guidelines and how to contribute.
14. Prison Book Programs
Prison Book Program is a grassroots organization with a singular, powerful purpose: sending free books to prisoners. They also maintain a helpful and up-to-date list of local organizations in various areas that are engaged in similar book-to-prisoner programs. Find their list here to explore local prison book programs and find a way to donate books to incarcerated individuals in your community.
15. Books For Soldiers/Operation Paperback
Books for Soldiers and Operation Paperback are intertwined initiatives that collect gently-used books and send them to American troops stationed overseas, as well as veterans and military families within the United States. Providing reading material to service members offers comfort, entertainment, and a connection to home. To participate in this meaningful program, sign up here to begin the shipment process and support our troops through the power of reading.
16. Better World Books
Better World Books (BWB) operates with a unique model: they collect and sell books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide and facilitate book donations. They have donation programs and partnerships that ensure books find new readers while supporting global literacy. You can learn more about their donation process on their website and discover how to contribute your books to their impactful network.
17. BookMooch
BookMooch offers a distinctive book exchange community online. If you’re interested in receiving books in return for your donations, BookMooch is an engaging option. It’s a community platform for swapping used books, allowing you to donate books you no longer need and acquire new reads in exchange. Explore BookMooch to participate in this book-loving community and find a new home for your books while expanding your own library.
18. Re-book It (Los Angeles)
Re-book It is a localized, free community pick-up service operating in Los Angeles, provided by The Last Bookstore. Their mission is to prevent books from ending up in landfills, ensuring they find new readers instead. If you are in the Los Angeles area, Re-Book It offers a convenient and environmentally conscious way to donate your books, keeping them circulating within the community.
19. Freecycle
Freecycle is a grassroots, online bulletin board network dedicated to promoting reuse within local communities. It’s a free platform where you can offer goods, including books, directly to people in your area. To use Freecycle, create an account, post a brief description of the books you wish to donate, and see if anyone local is interested in giving them a new home. It’s a hyper-local and direct way to donate within your community.
20. Ask Friends and Family
Sometimes the simplest solution is the closest at hand. Before donating to a larger organization, consider asking your friends and family if they or anyone they know would be interested in your books. If you have friends or family who are avid readers, they might be delighted to expand their collections with your donated books. After they’ve enjoyed them, they can then utilize this very list to continue the cycle of book donation.
Supporting Literacy Beyond Donations
While the organizations listed above are excellent places to donate books, some organizations focus on supporting literacy through other means. If you’re interested in financial contributions to reading programs, consider exploring United Through Reading and Reading Education Assistance Dogs. These organizations are making a significant impact on literacy in unique and valuable ways.
Donate Responsibly and Thoughtfully
As you consider donating your books, remember to be courteous and thoughtful. Whenever possible, contact the organization beforehand to confirm their current needs and inquire about specific genres they may be particularly seeking. Donating quality, gently-used books is always most appreciated. Consider pre-sorting your books to ensure you are offering donations that are genuinely useful and valued. By donating books responsibly, you ensure you are a blessing, not a burden, and that your literary treasures will be welcomed and cherished in their new homes.
