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Where to Donate Books


Donate books to a worthy cause and open up a world of possibilities to someone in need.  Books inspire our imaginations and broaden our perspective.  They educate and enrich.  For many, however, books are a luxury they cannot afford.  If you're looking for a good home for your used books, consider the options listed here.

Organizations are listed alphabetically.  The order of listing does not indicate any sort of hierarchy.  

Check Before You Donate


If you decide to donate books to a specific charity that collects and distributes books to those in need, please contact the charity beforehand to make sure they have a use for the specific types of books you wish to donate.  Charities operate on limited budgets and are often understaffed.  Receiving books they cannot use wastes valuable man hours in sorting and redistributing.  It also uses up much needed storage space.  ​

Better World Books


When you donate your books to Better World Books, they are resold, donated to charity or recycled.  They offer over 8 million titles on their website, and for every book they sell, they donate a book to charity. 

​Donation boxes are available in Texas and most states east of the Mississippi (excluding much of New England).  If you don't live near a donation box, log onto their website and request a pre-paid shipping label which they will email to you.    

Bookends


As with shoes, clothes, and toys, children outgrow their books.  If your kids have lost interest in some of their old favorites, you may want to donate books to Bookends.  They collect children’s books in good condition for distribution to schools and youth organizations in need. 

Books for Africa


Books for Africa is dedicated to promoting literacy in Africa.  Since 1988 they have shipped 24 million books to 46 African nations.  They happily accept book donations.  If you prefer to have a more global impact, Books for Africa may be the place for you to donate books.  ​

Books Through Bars


“Books Through Bars distributes quality reading material to individual prisoners in the Mid-Atlantic region, prison libraries across the country, and halfway houses throughout the greater Philadelphia area”.  They ask that you email them with a list of books you wish to donate before mailing your books as there are some types of books they can’t use.  ​

Darien Book Aid Plan


Darien Book Aid meets specific requests for books from Peace Corps volunteers, schools, and libraries around the world.  You can find a list of books they need and books they can’t use on their website.  You can also view their Amazon.com wishlist.  Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to read about donating books. They ask that you contact them for prior approval before donating books.  ​

International Book Project


IBP provides books to schools, libraries and other organizations in the United States and locations throughout the developing world.  Books are sorted upon receipt and those deemed inappropriate to send overseas are sold in their thrift shop.  Proceeds from book sales are used to fund book requests.  They particularly need children’s books.  You can find instructions for mailing books on their website. ​

Operation Paperback


Books collected by Operation Paperback benefit deployed soldiers, veterans, and military families.  You can register online to become a volunteer shipper.  Input genres you have on hand, and their system will provide you with an address where your books are needed.  ​

Prison Book Program


The Prison Book Program, based in Boston, provides books to prison libraries in numerous states.  See their page titled "Other Books to Prisoners Programs" for a more extensive list of options.  Also on their website you will find a list of books they need and books they don't need. ​

Project Smile


Project Smile collects new and previously owned stuffed animals, small toys, children's reading books, and new coloring books/crayons to give to police officers, fire fighters and paramedics who distribute them to children in traumatic situations.  They require most of the donations they receive to be new, but they do accept used children's books in good condition. 

Additional Local Resources for Donating Books


Hospitals

Donate books to a local hospital and help patients pass the long hours more enjoyably.  Many hospitals have a lending library somewhere on the premises where patients and visitors can borrow books.  A member of my family read a half dozen books during a recent hospital stay, all of which were obtained through the hospital’s lending library. Children's books can be donated directly to the pediatric wing of the hospital.  Check with your local hospital to find out if they accept book donations.

Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Facilities

Check with your local nursing home or adult care facility to see if they maintain a lending library for residents.  If so, they may be happy to have you donate books to help increase their selection.
Picture

Classrooms/Classroom Teachers

School budgets always seem to be insufficient to provide all the resources teachers would like for their classrooms, and oddly enough reading books are things that teachers frequently have to provide for their students. If you have children's literature or young adult literature that your children have outgrown, try contacting a local school or teacher to find out if they would be interested in your books. 

As you can see, there are many options available to donate books.  A little effort to find a good fit will ensure that everyone benefits from the exchange. 

Disclaimer


The appearance of an organization on this list does not constitute a recommendation on my part, nor do I represent any of these organizations in any way. To contact organizations listed here directly, simply click on the organization's name to link to their website. ​
Last updated December 27, 2021.
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  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Free Organization Printables
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog