You’re probably all too familiar with this scenario: you’re organizing and cleaning up your room, and part of that involves dealing with the pile of books taking up space on your shelf.

As you go through them, you realize you probably won’t read most of these a second time. So, what are you going to do with them?

Maybe donating them to the library has crossed your mind. If so, you’re on the right track!

Libraries actually love book donations. It makes sense: they help support programs, stock shelves, and even fuel book sales to raise funds so the library can keep operating.

If you’re just here to get your question, “Can you donate books to the library?” answered, here’s the answer: yes!

But before you show up with a box full of novels (and maybe a couple of questionable textbooks), you need to know a few important things about donating books to your local library.

1. What You Need to Know About Library Book Donations
2. What Kind of Books Do Libraries Accept?
3. How to Donate Books to Your Library
4. What If Your Library Doesn’t Accept Donations?
5. Should You Donate All Your Books?
6. Donate, Sell, or Recycle…It’s All Good

What You Need to Know About Library Book Donations

Yes, you can donate books to the library. But it’s not always as simple as dropping them off at the front desk. Libraries often have specific policies about what they can and can’t accept. If your local library is around the corner, it might be a good idea to stop by and simply ask them about their requirements and procedures. Or give them a call or check if you can find any information on their website.

And what do libraries even do with these book donations? Some books go straight into circulation, while others are sold during fundraising events like book fairs.

Either way, donating is a great way to give your books a new home while supporting a good cause. Just make sure to check your library’s website or give them a quick call to learn about their guidelines.

What Kind of Books Do Libraries Accept?

Unfortunately, not every book is a good candidate for a library book donation.

Before packing up your books, ensure they fall into the “yes, please” category. Most libraries are happy to accept the following:

• Gently used fiction and nonfiction: Think current bestsellers, classics, or timeless nonfiction.
• Recent textbooks: Only if they’re not too outdated (your 1998 chemistry textbook may not make the cut).
• Children’s books: Kids’ books are always in demand, especially those in good condition.

So, these are all great and usually received with open arms. But which books won’t make the cut?

Avoid donating books that are water-damaged, torn, or covered in mysterious stains (you know the ones). Libraries also tend to shy away from old encyclopedias, magazines, and anything that looks like it belongs in a time capsule.

If you have any of those kinds of books lying around, it might be better to recycle them or give them to someone you know who is into that stuff (a collector, maybe…).

How to Donate Books to Your Library

So, now you’re ready to get to donating…but how does this actually work? Three simple steps will do it:

1. Check with your local library: Call or visit their website to confirm they’re accepting donations. Some libraries have specific drop-off dates or limits on how many books you can donate.
2. Sort your books: Only include items that meet the library’s standards (no broken spines or missing pages).
3. Drop them off: Libraries often have donation bins or designated drop-off locations. Be sure to follow their instructions to make everyone’s life easier.

Donating your books to the library is usually relatively easy. After all, you’re doing something good for them. So don’t let any of the requirements and steps scare you off, and just go for it.

What If Your Library Doesn’t Accept Donations?

No worries, there are plenty of other ways to give your books a second life:

• You could donate books to charity or to a book drive. Many organizations will happily take your books to distribute to schools, shelters, or underserved communities.
• You can look for local book charities in the US. Some nonprofits specialize in getting books into the hands of those who need them.
• You can recycle damaged books. If your books are beyond saving, don’t throw them in the trash! Learn how to recycle books.

Should You Donate All Your Books?

So, can you donate books to the library? For sure! But should you donate all of them?

Before you give away your entire collection, take a moment to check if any of your books might be worth something. Some titles, especially textbooks or rare editions, can have resale value.

BookScouter is a great tool that can help you find out how much your books are worth. It lets you compare prices and find out if your books have buyback offers. You might be sitting on a goldmine (or at least enough to cover your next coffee run). And think about it this way: selling a few valuable books can help fund your next reading spree.

Donate, Sell, or Recycle…It’s All Good

Donating books to the library is a thoughtful way to support your community, help the environment, and give your books a fresh start. Just double-check your library’s policies and consider whether any of your books could be resold for extra cash.

Whether you’re donating, selling, or recycling, sorting out books currently collecting dust is a great choice. These books can find new homes and continue to bring joy.

Are you ready to declutter and make a difference? Check out where to donate used books, where to donate textbooks, or what to do with old textbooks for more ideas.

Happy book rehoming!