Bibliophile Tips: 5 Ways To Donate Books
Hello everyone! I’m back with another round of Bibliophile Tips! Today I’ll be chatting about some of my go-to places and websites to use when donating books. I hope these tips come in handy the next time you declutter your book collection.
Libraries
As a person who worked at a library previously, I know they usually accept used books in good condition. Please place an emphasis on “in good condition”! I have some horror stories of sorting through used books. However, it is best to call in advance for specifics on current needs. Some local libraries do not have space or time to sort through large collections of books. A lot of the books end up in the library’s collection or go to the used book sales that help fund the library.
Local Charities
If you have any local charities in your area or even organizations nationally, most programs take in used books. I know I’ve dropped off books at Goodwill and Salvation Army in the past. Sometimes local charities have used book drives to send books to kids, schools, and literacy programs are always looking for book donations.
Little Free Libraries
If you follow my bookstagram (@lifeofafemalebibliophile), you’ll no that I am not stranger to Little Free Libraries (LFLs). I’ve made it a personal quest of mine to discover as many as possible. You can find these adorable libraries anywhere and once you leave a book; you can take a book in return. A great way to share books with the reading community!
Used Book Sites/Apps
There are so many book websites out there where you can pack up your books or post pictures of books you want to donate and then ship them off in the mail. It’s easy to do and there are so many options out there. One book site I’ve personally used myself and bought books from is Better World Books. The website has a nice layout and its donation process is simple.
Friends & Family
I have friends and family members who love reading. When I’m sorting through books I’m unhauling from my collection, I usually ask if they’re interested in reading any of the books. Especially if they are brand new books I don’t plan on reading, they often become gifts for other avid readers.
What places or websites do you recommend or regularly use for donating books?
I’m a BookCrosser and I’ve left books all over the place and had them travel the world, it’s very exciting to hear back from them. We have one official and one unofficial BookCrossing shelf in my neighbourhood so I’m busy registering books on the site and releasing them for people to find at the moment. I buy a lot from charity shops but don’t tend to give books to them as they do pulp a lot of them, especially if they have labels and notes in (e.g. from BookCrossing!). I give quite a lot to friends and swap boxes of books with one particular book blogger, too!
Book swaps are so much fun and a great idea. I’ve only done it a few times myself. As for BookCrosser, that sounds like a neat program. I’ll have to check that out since I’ve never heard of it before.
I love giving away books! I regularly use LFLs and our local fire halls collect books for the children’s hospital who has a fundraising book sale every year. With ARCs since they can’t be sold, I like to just leave them around the neighbourhood for new folks to find
Same here! Plus I think it’s so much fun to discover new LFLs. Always brings me so much joy to pass on a book to a new reader.
Funnily enough I have a whole blog post/infographic on ways to donate books: https://missprint.wordpress.com/2021/03/26/everything-you-need-to-know-about-donating-books-to-the-library/
Great list! When I worked at the library I was in charge of donations and I saw some pretty horrid conditions for book donations. I still get shivers when I think about the really bad batches.