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Quick answer: You can donate books to your local public library or its Friends of the Library group, schools, shelters, hospitals, Little Free Libraries, thrift shops and charity programs. Search your area for ‘book donation near me,’ then call first, because many places only accept recent, clean books in good condition and turn away old encyclopedias, textbooks and damaged copies.
Quick facts
Easiest: Little Free Libraries and library donation bins
Most helpful for kids: schools, daycares and children’s programs
Most likely to accept anything: charity thrift shops (check first)
Usually refused: mold, water damage, outdated textbooks, encyclopedias
Always call or check the website first
Giving books a second home is one of the easiest ways to clear space and help your community. Libraries need books for their sales, schools want classroom reading, shelters and hospitals want something to read and prison programs, military groups and international charities send books to readers who have few. The challenge is that no one has endless shelf space, so each place has rules. Some accept only children’s books, some only hardcovers in great condition and many refuse textbooks and old encyclopedias. This guide shows where to look, what each place usually wants and how to prepare your boxes so they are welcome rather than turned away.
Table of Contents
The Fastest Way to Find a Place Near You
Open a map app and search ‘book donation,’ ‘used book drop-off’ and ‘Friends of the Library.’ Then check the website of your public library, school district and any nonprofit that comes up. Look for a donation page that lists accepted items, drop-off hours and quantity limits. If it is not listed, call. A two-minute call saves a trip with a car full of books that will be refused. Neighborhood social groups and local community boards are also good places to ask who needs books right now.
Public Libraries and Friends of the Library Groups
Many public libraries accept donations, but they often pass them to a volunteer group called the Friends of the Library, which sells books to fund programs. Others add a few titles to the collection if they are new, in good shape and match demand. Ask whether they accept donations, what condition they need and whether there are limits such as boxes per visit. Some libraries run drop boxes, while others ask you to visit the desk. A receipt for taxes may be available for larger donations.
Little Free Libraries and Community Book Boxes
Little Free Libraries are small boxes where neighbors take and leave books. Search the official map to find one close to you. They are perfect for a few well-kept books at a time. Do not dump a whole carload in a small box, since it can overflow and the steward may not be able to manage it. Children’s books and popular paperbacks disappear fastest. If the box is full, take a book while you are there, or try another nearby box.
Schools, Daycares and Teachers
Teachers often spend their own money stocking classroom libraries, so they welcome good children’s and young adult books. Contact a school, preschool or after-school program and ask if they accept donations and what ages they need. Picture books for younger kids and series for early chapter readers are popular. Many schools also have book drives that run at certain times of year. Teacher groups online sometimes post wish lists, and giving to a specific request is more helpful than guessing.
Shelters, Hospitals, Senior Centers and Waiting Rooms
Places where people wait or recover often welcome books. Domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, hospital family lounges, senior centers and clinics sometimes accept paperbacks and magazines. Call and ask what they need, since many have rules about content or storage. Large-print books are especially valued at senior centers. Offer light, uplifting reading rather than heavy material, and avoid anything with a library stamp or marked pages.
Programs That Send Books to People Who Need Them
Several nonprofits distribute books where they are needed most. Books Through Bars programs send books to people in prison, but each program has strict rules about what it will accept. Operation Paperback sends books to military members and veterans. Reach Out and Read gives books to children at doctor’s visits, and international groups such as Better World Books fund literacy projects through donated books. Check each program’s website for current instructions, shipping details and what to send, since requirements change.
Thrift Stores and Charity Shops
Thrift shops are the easiest drop-off, because they take donations most days. Goodwill, local charity shops and hospice or animal shelter stores often accept books, but they may sell them cheaply or recycle ones they cannot sell. If you want your books to go to readers rather than to a bulk seller, a small independent charity shop is often better. Ask whether they have a book section. Items sold in a thrift store support the charity’s work even though you do not get paid.
What Donation Centers Usually Refuse
Almost everywhere refuses books with mold, water damage, strong smells, torn covers or missing pages. Old encyclopedias, outdated textbooks, condensed book collections and most self-help or computer books from decades ago rarely sell. Highlighted study guides and workbooks that are written in also go unclaimed. If you are not sure, ask. Recycling is the right choice for books that cannot go to another reader. Check local rules, since some recycling programs ask you to remove hard covers.
How to Prepare Your Books for Donation
Wipe covers, remove dust, take out loose papers and pull out bookmarks or notes. Sort by type, such as children, fiction, nonfiction and cookbooks, and pack in small sturdy boxes, because heavy boxes are hard for volunteers to lift. Keep to a manageable number, and ask first for large amounts. Label the boxes if the donation center prefers it, and keep a list of the books if you want a tax receipt. A neat, sorted donation is more likely to be used.
Tax Receipts and Record Keeping
In the United States, donations to qualified charities may be tax deductible if you itemize, but rules and valuation limits apply. Ask for a receipt when you drop off, note the date and the number of items, and keep it with your tax records. A tax professional can explain what you can claim. For most households the value is small, so give books because you want them used, not because of the deduction.
Handy Supplies for a Clean Donation Drive
If you are clearing a large collection, a few supplies help. Small sturdy boxes are easier to carry than big ones. Tape and a marker let you label them. A soft cloth wipes covers, and a roll of book repair tape can fix small tears so a good book does not get rejected. Buy only what you need.
Keep a Few Books and Let the Rest Go
Giving away books can feel hard. Keep the ones you love, will reread or use for reference, and let go of the rest. A good rule is to ask whether you will read it in the next year. If not, pass it on. Someone else may be searching for exactly that title, and a clear shelf leaves room for your next favorite.
Ideas for Hosting a Book Drive
If you have friends or neighbors with books to give, a small drive multiplies the effect. Choose a cause, such as a school classroom, a shelter or a children’s hospital, and contact them first to learn what they want. Set dates, place a labeled box at a school, office or community center and share a short flyer. Ask for books in good condition and for certain ages. After the drive, sort and deliver everything yourself. Thank donors and tell them where the books went; people love to know the result.
Choosing Where to Give Based on the Book
Match the book to the place. Picture books and early readers go to preschools and pediatric offices. Teen novels suit school libraries and youth programs. Large-print books and mysteries suit senior centers. Cookbooks and craft books often do well at thrift shops. Textbooks might go to a student exchange, if they are current. Matching books to readers means they are more likely to be used instead of recycled.
What If I Have a Huge Collection?
Large collections need a plan. Start by calling a few organizations to ask whether they accept bulk donations and whether they can pick up. Some estate sale companies and used booksellers will take an entire collection. Split the collection: sell valuable books, donate the common ones and recycle the damaged ones. Do it over several weekends so you are not overwhelmed. If the books belonged to someone who has passed away, take your time and keep a few for memory’s sake.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not leave boxes outside a closed donation center, since rain and theft ruin them and the charity may have to pay to dispose of them. Do not drop off items after hours unless the center allows it. Do not include non-book items without asking. Avoid donating books with personal notes, addresses or inscriptions to a loved one without removing them first. And avoid giving books you would not want to read yourself; if you would not give it to a friend, it probably should be recycled. Treat each donation as a gift to a stranger and your books will find readers more easily.
A One-Weekend Donation Plan
Saturday morning: pull books from shelves and sort into keep, sell, donate and recycle. Saturday afternoon: wipe and box the donate pile, and phone two places to confirm what they accept. Sunday: drop off boxes, take a photo of your receipt and visit a Little Free Library with a few extras. By Sunday night, you will have fewer books, more space and a clear conscience about where each one went. If you cannot finish, schedule a second round next weekend rather than leaving boxes by the door for months.
Related: 9 creative ways to organize your book collection and where to sell used books for the most money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I donate books near me today?
Try Little Free Libraries, your public library’s donation bin, a local thrift store or a school. Search a map app for ‘book donation,’ then call to confirm hours and what they accept.
Do libraries accept book donations?
Many do, but often through a Friends of the Library group that sells the books to fund programs. Libraries may keep a few recent, good-condition titles. Ask about condition rules and limits before you drop anything off.
What books are usually not accepted?
Moldy, water-damaged, torn or smelly books, outdated textbooks, encyclopedias and heavily written-in workbooks. Condensed book collections and old technology guides also rarely sell.
Can I donate books to a prison or to the military?
Yes, through programs such as Books Through Bars and Operation Paperback. Each has its own rules for what to send and where, so read their current guidelines first.
Can I get a tax deduction for donating books?
If you itemize and give to a qualified charity, you may claim fair market value, but limits apply. Get a receipt and ask a tax professional. The amount is usually small.