We’ve already written about how to scout books and book arbitrage in general, as well as about some ways to get books for free in your location if you’re reselling. Yet, we’ve decided to dedicate the entire post to free books. So, regardless of your goal—you’re looking for new reads, textbooks for your studies, or you’re a book scout and reseller—we’ve collected the information for you and compiled it into a neat article.
How to Get Used Books for Free
Let’s explore all possible options for obtaining physical books for free. Although you may already have some ideas, we’ll go over the list together.
Book Gifts from Friends and Family
One of the simplest ways to find books is by asking your friends and family if they have any books they don’t need and are willing to share. Perhaps you have older siblings or cousins who have just graduated and are happy to pass on their textbooks to you. Maybe your relatives are looking to downsize their library. You can simply ask them, and they might be more than happy to help.
Free Giveaways
The next great option is free giveaways. Look for local ads online or on bulletin boards that offer free books. Many people would rather give books away than sell or donate them. All you need to do is pick them up. Don’t overlook this option, as it’s not necessarily very old or used books that people give away; sometimes, you can find hidden gems among them.
Local Sales and Fairs
Garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, library book sales, auctions, and local markets are all prime destinations for finding literary treasures. You can often expect very cheap books, but chances are you can find free books there, too. Use BookSaleFinder to locate nearby events and find places where you can get books for free. Occasionally, you might even stumble upon entire packs of books ripe for the taking.
Liquidation Opportunities
If you’re a book scout, you can also check two key platforms for acquiring large quantities of books at low prices: Govdeals and Liquidation. While you probably won’t get books for free there, chances are you can find plenty of books as cheap as $2. Keep in mind that you’re usually expected to come and pick them up yourself.
Online Groups and Social Networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
You can also join Facebook groups where members offer books they’re willing to give away, trade, or swap with others either at your location or through mail exchanges. Some book influencers, bloggers, and online book clubs sometimes host giveaways or distribute free copies of books on their Instagram or TikTok. Authors and publishers sometimes run social media contests, giveaways, or promotions, too. There, they offer free copies of books to followers on social media to build buzz around new releases. If you’re interested in a particular author, you can follow their social media page and maybe get a new book for free.
Local Library Giveaways
Public libraries frequently clear out their book collections and offer them for sale at discounted prices or for free to the community. It’s a great way to find some great books while spending really little or nothing at all! To take advantage of this, keep an eye out for library book sales or inquire about their policies on donating or giving away books.
Online Book Swapping Sites
If you’re willing to give away a book before you take one, check websites like BookMooch, and PaperBackSwap. They allow you to trade books with other readers across the globe. Simply list the books you’re willing to give away, and you’ll earn credits to request books from others. It’s an excellent way to declutter your shelves and give used books a new life.
Little Free Libraries
These tiny book exchanges have been popping up in neighborhoods worldwide. Little Free Libraries operate on a “take a book, leave a book” principle, allowing you to grab any book you like for free (provided that you leave something instead). Check if there’s one in your area, or you can start your own.
BookCrossing
Last on our today’s list is BookCrossing. Like Little Free Libraries and book swapping, this practice encourages readers to “release” their books into the wild by leaving them in public places for others to find, read, and hopefully continue the cycle. You can register your books on the BookCrossing website to track their journey, or you can start book exchange in a similar manner in your own location without any website at all.
Conclusion
By using the power of the internet, social media groups, and local initiatives like Little Free Libraries or simply visiting a local library giveaway, you can find used books for resale purposes, titles for your personal library, great reads for your kids, and whatnot— without breaking the bank.
We hope that one of the ways or resources we listed in this post will help you find what you want, be it another book from the Harry Potter series in your collection or a digital copy of a beautiful Guastavino Vaulting: The Art of Structural Tile.
