How to Donate Books You've Read

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If you’re an avid reader and bibliophile, you already know it doesn’t take long before your bookshelves are groaning and books are stacked in haphazard piles on the coffee table, nightstand, and perhaps even your dining room chairs. If books you’ve already read are double-parked and gathering dust on your shelves, it’s time to consider finding them a new home. As hard as it may be to part with them, donating your books--as opposed to simply selling them at a garage sale or even throwing them away (gasp!)--somehow makes the whole process easier. “‘Tis a far, far better thing you do . . .” plus think of all that room for new books. Here’s how to donate your books.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Public Libraries. Many public libraries appreciate a donation of gently used books either for their own collections or for library sales. Some libraries, due mainly to space and storage constraints, accept book donations only at certain times of year, during scheduled donor drives. Call your local library to see if it is willing and able to accept your donation.

Step2

School Libraries. With funding in many schools dwindling, school libraries are likely to be very grateful for your donation of children’s, middle grade, or young adult books. Also desirable are copies of the classics in good condition, especially modern reprints. Call the school and ask about making a donation of books to the library. Be sure to ask if they have any restricted titles to avoid, and if possible, provide the librarian with a list of the titles you have available for donation.

Step3

Doctors’ and Dentists’ Offices. As your doctor or dentist if they’d like a donation of books for their waiting room, particularly if you have books that appeal to an age group that makes up a significant portion of their patients. For example, your pediatrician’s office might be delighted to accept your donation of Junie B. Jones paperbacks.

Step4

Hospitals. The surgical waiting room in many hospitals is a place where people tend to spend many long, anxious hours. If you have a nice variety of contemporary best sellers to donate, it may be welcomed. Check with someone in administration to see if you can donate your books there. Alternatively, many hospitals offer a “reading cart” service to patients in long-term care. Check and see if such a service is available, and if so, perhaps they might like a donation of new and popular paperback titles.

Step5

Goodwill, Salvation Army, AmVets. These organizations will generally accept novels and children's books in good condition (No encyclopedias, please).

Step6

Nursing Homes. This is the perfect place to donate your books with large print. Call the program director to see what they can use. Better yet, if you have some time, why not stick around and offer to read to a group of residents?

Step7

Neighborhood/Workplace/Playgroup Bookswap. Okay, you probably won’t be doing much to eliminate your volume problem, but you will be getting some nice fresh reading material, and helping others do the same for free!

Step8

Church/Temple Library. This is the place to donate religious or other appropriate materials (cookbooks? craft manuals? home-schooling materials?). Check with the person who oversees the library at your place of worship to see what they can use.

Tips & Warnings

If all else fails and you find yourself stuck with a bunch of books you want to get rid of but you just can’t seem to find any takers, try setting up a curbside table on a nice sunny day and offering your books free for the taking. Tape up a “FREE” sign and provide a few empty grocery bags for interested passersby to load up. If you still have leftovers, check with your recycling service provider. Many will recycle books along with paper and cardboard.