<p>I have a bunch of used books I'd like to donate, but my local library said they don't take donations anymore. The kids' school usually has a book sale in May, but I am literally tripping over the pile in the hallway, so I'd like to get rid of them now. Ideally, they would go to a library that's not that well stocked, or to someone who could really use them. Any ideas?</p>
<p>Try calling your local literacy program or a homeless shelter. Depends what the subject material & age level is–afterschool program might like them or prison. You can always try the thrift shop or Salvation Army or similar.</p>
<p>Sometimes when we have stuff to donate, we give it to a shelter for abused women. I wonder if that would be an option? We’ve only ever given clothing, but perhaps the shelter could use some books.</p>
<p>Thanks HImom and Nrdsb4 – both great ideas – I’ll check them out in my area.</p>
<p>I just took several boxes of books to the Salvation Army.</p>
<p>[Eco</a> Encore | The Green Bookstore - Selling Books, CDs, DVDs and Software for the Environment](<a href=“http://www.ecoencore.org/]Eco”>http://www.ecoencore.org/)
you could also check out schools, retirement homes, literacy centers.</p>
<p>Goodwill also takes and sells used books.</p>
<p>Funny…I was just discussing this with H this morning. We, too have many used books to donate…my H is going to see if a few used book stores would want them. All other ideas are great too, and perhaps a senior center in your town may want them.</p>
<p>If they are popular paperbacks, the library may take them for their sale rack…don’t be insulted. Some schools will take collections of subject matter (half-a-dozen different titles on Ancient Egypt or arboriculture), provided the material is up-to-date. Almost no one will take old encyclopedias, unless they are unusual…say a Civil War era medical text. Check abebooks.com for what the market will bear. </p>
<p>(I still remember how weird it was that someone was selling one of my old paperbacks for $35. I wonder if they ever got it.)</p>
<p>Better World Books … works to keep used books out of landfills; supports literacy programs…</p>
<p>[Triple</a> Bottom Line: Social Enterprise](<a href=“http://www.betterworldbooks.com/info.aspx?f=bottomlines]Triple”>http://www.betterworldbooks.com/info.aspx?f=bottomlines)</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://fightingfor.nd.edu/literacy/]Fighting”>http://fightingfor.nd.edu/literacy/]Fighting</a> To Bring Literacy to the World // Fighting For // University of Notre Dame<a href=“short%20video%20on%20how%20they%20started%20…”>/url</a></p>
<p>One of the larger food banks here in NJ takes books too. Food for the mind. See if your state has one of them. Perhaps a library in a different town? A school in an underprivileged area, or a charter school that’s just getting started? Or a “garage sale” and donate the proceeds?</p>
<p>A women’s shelter in our area has asked for used parenting books. </p>
<p>I know the OP said her library does not want donated books but many do. Our Friends of the Library volunteer group has several book sales during the year consisting primarily of donated books with 100% of the proceeds going to support the library collection and programming. Books that can’t be sold are given away free to the community. The library does keep a very small percentage of the donated books to add to the collection.</p>
<p>Fafnir–is that Community food bank of NJ? I didn’t know they take books; that would be great. please give details!</p>
<p>Look at [Book</a> Sale Finder](<a href=“http://www.booksalefinder.com%5DBook”>http://www.booksalefinder.com)</p>
<p>It will list used book sales all over the country and you can search by state. Maybe you’ll find a nearby upcoming sale that you didn’t know about that will take your books. And then maybe you’ll find a sale where you can buy a few more!</p>
<p>You can also offer them on Freecycle or in the free section of Craig’s list.</p>
<p>pickupplease . org takes books (almost anything actually). All you need to do is arrange a time with them and agree on where they will pick up the donations. They will even leave a receipt for tax purposes. We’ve done this a few times over the years to clear out the basement, unwanted toys, camping gear, etc.</p>
<p>Any used book stores in your area? The one in my area pays cash for books.</p>
<p>Alternatively, Goodwill definitely takes books. I’ve basically been using Goodwill as my bookstore lately, as I’ve found they always seem to have a good supply of recent bestsellers…at .75 each, you can’t beat it!</p>
<p>The big used bookstore near us offers trade credit for books they want – if you don’t want the credit, they offer it to local schools. I bought my nieces in one day (we had a bunch of trade credit) and let them each pick out a whole armful of books.</p>
<p>Thanks all – so many great ideas. I get the feeling that, like me, all of you just absolutely refuse to ever put a perfectly good book in the garbage. </p>
<p>I will call some other libraries and look up shelters. I actually found this group called ALTAFF (Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations) that sells old books to benefit their library programs, but I would have to ship the books there, so that’s my last resort if another one doesn’t work. Sometimes the seemingly easy errand to drive to the drop off place when it’s open when I’m not working becomes more and more impossible. Goodwill and Salvation Army sound good, but sometimes arranging for them to pick up when you’re home is difficult (it’d probably be easier if I had a house where I could leave them on the porch or in the garage but I don’t).
With your help, these books will have another life!</p>
<p>VA Hospital if for adults.</p>
<p>If they are for K-12, you could offer them to homeschool students via your state email list.</p>
<p>I’ve always thought that LibraryThing would make for good local virtual libraries. Another thought would be listing your books to give away.</p>