How to Donate Textbooks to Local Libraries
One of the easiest and most effective ways to donate textbooks and other books is to bring them to local public libraries. They may be used either to supplement library collections or to sell for fund-raising purposes. Many libraries depend heavily on book sales to fund acquisitions. Most local libraries have established a systematic approach to collecting donations, either year-round or during specified book drive periods preceding annual book sales.
Things You'll Need
- Textbooks in good condition (no mildew)
- CDs, DVDs, audio books or other materials for donation
Instructions
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Take good care of textbooks that you intend to donate to local libraries. The closer they are to "as new" condition, the more valuable they will be to the library, either for lending or for resale.
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Contact your local library by telephone or email for information on specific times and places to donate your textbooks and guidelines concerning matters such as book condition and categories. Many libraries also post guidelines for book donations on their websites. Visit the Public Libraries website for a directory of local libraries' phone numbers, addresses and URLs (see Resources below).
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Remove personal materials and contact information from textbooks before you donate them to local libraries.
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Cull textbooks that would have no value because they are out of date or in poor condition, with mildew, missing pages or broken spines. These books should be recycled through your city, town or county recycling program for paper goods. Visit Earth 911 to locate a nearby recycling program (see Resources below).
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Keep a list of textbooks that you donate to local libraries with the price you paid for each book. You may be able to claim a tax deduction for donated books up to the amount of their cost.
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Ask a library employee for a receipt for your textbook donation, either on the library's form or as a signature on a form that you provide with your listing of donated books. This receipt will provide your documentation for a tax deduction.
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Consider including audio books, general interest books, CDs and DVDs when you donate your textbooks to a local library. Check with the library in advance to see if it accepts such donations.
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Tips & Warnings
Many university and college libraries do not accept book donations, but it never hurts to call your institution's library and ask. If you plan to donate a textbook that is in pristine condition and will still be in use next semester, make sure that you contact the library's acquisitions desk to provide this information.
Consider supplementing your efforts by enlisting other students in a textbook donation drive or volunteering to help your local library's Friends of the Library (FOL) group. Visit the Friends of Libraries website to learn more (see Resources below).
Resources
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Comments
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Always ask the library if they accept testbooks. Many do NOT! Please don't dump stuff at the library, or anywhere, and expect the non profit to dispose of it for you. Make sure your donation is appropriate and acceptable.
