We’ve already discussed New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco when we’ve covered the best places to donate books. Today, we’ll continue our series and focus on the places in Houston that accept book donations.
As always, we’ll start with the list of local stores, libraries, and organizations that accept various books and then proceed to places with some sort of specialization.
Houston’s donation alternatives are versatile: you can choose where to bring your used but very much loved copies so that they can help someone else.
If you have Bibles, Star of Hope Mission will gladly accept them.
Houston’s Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Better World Books branches accept all types of books in good condition in their donation centers and through drop boxes.
The Texas Art Asylum is the place to donate your art books.
If your kids have outgrown the books they once liked, these copies can still become someone else’s favorites. The Texas Hearing Institute, Books Between Kids, and other organizations promoting literacy will gladly take them in.
Here’s the list of locations in Houston, with their addresses and websites. We strongly recommend checking each of them individually before visiting, as their donation terms may change. It’s always better to be prepared and know their requirements and restrictions (books they don’t accept) in advance.
- Local Places to Donate Books in Houston
- Where to Donate Textbooks in Houston?
- Where to Donate Kids’ Books in Houston?
- Where to Donate Comic Books in Houston?
- FAQs
- Where to Sell Your Books in Houston
Local Places to Donate Books in Houston
Friends of the Houston Public Library
Address: 6510 West Little York Road, Houston, TX 77040
Website: Friends of the Houston Public Library
We’ll start with the main library, as usual. The Friends of the Houston Public Library accept new and gently used books at their Book Warehouse by appointment. If you have a few books, one box, or two bags maximum, you can drop them off at any HPL branch.
They do not accept old textbooks, technical books, outdated dictionaries or encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, or damaged books.
Read more on the topic of donating books to the library.
Barbara Bush Library Friends
Address: 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77379
Website: Barbara Bush Library Friends
Barbara Bush Library’s official website also contains information about book donations. They are currently accepting gently used books at the library bookstore. As a library and a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, all donations are tax-deductible.
The Book Cycle
Address: 405 N Velasco St, Houston, TX 77003
Website: The Book Cycle
The Book Cycle “extends the life cycle of books by keeping them in circulation for free.” It’s the place where people can donate and take home books for free. They encourage everyone to connect with fellow book lovers, welcome volunteers, and host events to foster a love of reading. Their inventory comes entirely from donations. It’s a nonprofit, so all donations are tax-deductible.
They do not accept damaged books and at the moment prefer other ways of donation. However, you can always contact them and ask if they need books.
Books for Development
Address: 3709 Polk St, Houston, TX 77003
Website: Books for Development
Books for Development accepts gently used books. They help create libraries in developing countries. They are eager to take in books on various subjects: children’s books, health and ecology titles, science books, and even vocational training materials. You can drop off your copies at their warehouse on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. You can also arrange a pick-up if you have a large collection or you’re a school or library representative.
They do not accept books in poor condition, books about witchcraft or black magic, American culture and history titles, or old or outdated nonfiction.
Houston Area Women’s Center
Address: 1010 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019
Website: Houston Area Women’s Center
“The Houston Area Women’s Center serves thousands of women, children and families each year escaping domestic violence, sexual assault or sex trafficking.” On their website, you can find several donation options.
They mostly accept monetary donations and gifts but also welcome non-monetary contributions. While we haven’t found any specific information about books, we’re positive you can contact them directly and check. Highly likely, they’ll welcome your books if they can support their programs.
The Salvation Army (Houston)
Address: Various locations in Houston (7 thrift stores and donation centers)
Website: The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army always accepts donations. In Houston, they accept book donations at thrift stores and donation centers (seven in the area; check out the closest to you). You can bring gently used books, both paperbacks and hardbacks.
They do not accept books in poor condition or outdated textbooks.
Better World Books (Houston)
Address: Various locations in Houston (7 drop boxes)
Website: Better World Books
Better World Books is also well-known for its drop boxes (there are seven in Houston; check the map) where you can leave your book donations.
They welcome all sorts of books—but only in good condition—and do not accept anything old or damaged.
Goodwill (Houston)
Address: Various locations in Houston
Website: Goodwill
Houston Goodwill branch also accepts books (among other things). They have numerous donation centers where you can bring your books in good condition.
They do not specify what sort of books they do not accept, so we recommend you inquire in person.
Harbor Ministries
Address:1625 Spencer Highway, South Houston, TX 77587
Website: Harbor Ministries
The Harbor Ministries Life Training Center is a faith-based substance abuse program. They accept various household items (including books, as far as we understand) in good condition and also pick up scrap metal.
They do not accept anything hazardous or damaged. They arrange pick-up service for large donations, so to inquire about books specifically, contact them via email.
Star of Hope Mission
Address: 2320 Lamar Houston, TX 77003 (Donation and Distribution Center)
Website: Star of Hope Mission
Star of Hope Mission helps homeless men, women, and children in Houston. They welcome all sorts of material donations, such as clothing, supplies, food, etc., and when it comes to books—Bibles and educational literature. If you have any, you can bring them to their Donation and Distribution Center or the Women and Family Development Center.
To learn more and how else you can help, write them via email.
Houston Book Donations
Address: Various drop-off locations in Houston
Website: Houston Book Donations
Houston Book Donations asks, “HELP US KEEP BOOKS OUT OF THE LANDFILL.” They distribute donated books to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, Goodwill, etc. They also plan to expand to help local libraries, VA offices, and other local organizations in need. They offer free book pick-up services and can help you with estate sales, library clearances, and bookstore liquidations.
They do not accept books in poor condition.
Charity Guild of Catholic Women Consignment Shop
Address: 1203 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
Website: Charity Guild of Catholic Women
The Charity Guild of Catholic Women supports children in need. They accept monetary donations, but you can also bring some of your used books to their store. They also accept clothing, home goods, and other items. We haven’t found any specific book-related information, so it’s best to contact them in advance.
Read more on donating books to charity, book charities in the US.
Cathedral Bookstore at Christ Church Cathedral
Address: 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002
Website: Cathedral Bookstore at Christ Church Cathedral
The Cathedral Bookstore, located within the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, accepts book donations. If you bring paperbacks, the store will distribute them to prisons, and your hardcovers will go to New Hope Housing. However, we recommend inquiring in advance about their donation needs.
Texas Art Asylum
Address: 1719 Live Oak, Unit L, Houston, TX 77003
Website: Texas Art Asylum
The Texas Art Asylum is a creative reuse center in Houston. This is the place to go if you’re looking for unusual, eco-friendly supplies because they specialize in art and craft supplies. Since 2010, they’ve diverted over 3.4 million pounds of materials from local landfills.
While they accept a wide variety of clean, reusable materials, they only accept art books for donation. Other books are not accepted.
Where to Donate Textbooks in Houston?
The Rotary Club of West U (Houston)
Address: 298 Eagle Ave, Pasadena, TX 77506
Website: The Rotary Club of West U (Houston)
The Rotary Club of West U (Houston) is a local branch of Rotary International, an organization that provides humanitarian services. It’s involved in various community service projects and global initiatives. One of them is Books for the World, a program that collects and ships books, educational materials, and school supplies to underserved communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
They accept books and school materials in good condition: textbooks (kindergarten through college) and both fiction and nonfiction books. They especially need encyclopedias (less than 10 years old). By the way, few organizations accept encyclopedias either for buyback or donation, so if you have any, this is a great chance to give them a new home. You can bring your donations once a month to their warehouse in Pasadena.
Learn more about where to donate textbooks.
Where to Donate Kids’ Books in Houston?
Texas Hearing Institute (Center for Hearing and Speech)
Address: 3100 Shenandoah St., Houston, TX 77021-1042
Website: Texas Hearing Institute
“We are changing lives, book by book.” Texas Hearing Institute’s mission is to help children with hearing loss. They accept book donations as part of an initiative to grow their library and help kids practice and develop their reading skills. While they have no specific information about used books, you can check their Amazon wishlist and contact them at development@texashearing.org.
They do not accept anything unrelated to children’s literature.
Learn more about where to donate children’s books.
Books Between Kids
Address: 9947 Harwin Dr. Suite B & C, Houston, TX 77036
Website: Books Between Kids
Books Between Kids provides at-risk children of Houston with free books to build their home libraries. They accept new and like-new books for Pre-K through 5th grade, such as story and chapter books, leveled readers, children’s nonfiction (that kids would pick out to read for fun), board/toddler books, and Spanish or dual-language books.
They do not accept books in bad condition, with torn binding, pages, or covers, excessive writing, yellowed/discolored pages, etc. Religious books, workbooks, coloring and sticker books, puzzles, etc., are not accepted either. Nor are reference books, textbooks, outdated nonfiction books, teacher or parenting books/materials. If you have anything that fits their list, you can drop it off at their warehouse (by appointment) or designated book bin locations across Houston.
The Book Attic
Address: 15222 FM 2920, Tomball, TX 77377
Website: The Book Attic
One of the local bookstores that buys used books for trade credit is The Book Attic. They also welcome book donations from time to time. However, they have limited space, so it’s best to call ahead before you come.
They’re currently looking for kids’ books like Dog Man, Wings of Fire, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, Harry Potter, and Stephen King and James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series. If you have any of these titles, contact them at 281-255-6050.
United Way (Greater Houston)
Address: 50 Waugh Dr., Houston, TX 77007
Website: United Way
United Way of Greater Houston supports individuals and families in need. They help residents get basic services, education, and even employment through their partnerships with more than 100 local nonprofit organizations. In February 2025, they hosted a Community Book Drive in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
While the event is over now, the organization accepts donations in other forms and may arrange another drive in the future, so we recommend checking out their website for updates.
Literacy Now Houston
Address: 14781 Memorial Dr. | #25, Houston, TX 77079
Website: Literacy Now Houston
Literacy Now Houston (originally known as Making It Better) aims to “empower children and families through literacy and life skills.” They help kids in low-income neighborhoods by means of tutoring, mentoring, and other services.
They want to provide more books to kids in need, so they are actively seeking book donations. If you have fiction and nonfiction for kids aged 5–7, especially early readers, sight word books, rhyming, phonics books, etc, they will gladly take those in. Make sure your books are in good condition and recently published. You can also check their Amazon wishlist or contact Aspen Hayes at aspen@literacynowhouston.org for details.
Where to Donate Comic Books in Houston?
Bedrock City Comics
Address: 6516 Westheimer Suite D, Houston, TX 77057
Website: Bedrock City Comics
Bedrock City Comics doesn’t have any up-to-date information on book donations. In 2023, though, they once collaborated with Comic Books for Kids, a nonprofit organization that gives comic books to kids in cancer treatment facilities and hospitals.
During the event, they accepted donations of $5 or five all-ages comic books (12 and younger). To find out about similar upcoming campaigns, we suggest following their Instagram updates.
FAQs
What books can I donate in Houston?
It very much depends on the place. For instance, The Friends of the Houston Public Library do not accept textbooks or encyclopedias (and a long list of other books). Star of Hope Mission welcomes Bibles and educational books only. Books Between Kids accept new and like-new books for Pre-K through 5th grade. To make sure your books are needed, we recommend contacting each organization in advance.
Where can I donate books in Houston?
First of all, you can check our guide on places to donate used books in the US. It covers both local and online options and offers many alternatives, such as recycling and buyback. In Houston, most places require you to drop off your books, but some also have pick-up services. Houston Book Donations can even help you with estate sales, library liquidations, etc.
Can I donate textbooks in Houston?
We haven’t found much information about textbook donations in Houston apart from the Rotary Club of West U (Houston) and their Books for the World, where textbooks and educational materials are mentioned specifically. You can also make inquiries at local bookstores and college stores. The latter usually buy used textbooks back during the season, but chances are they accept donations.
Are book donations tax-deductible in Houston?
Yes, book donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Houston are tax-deductible. You can report book donations when you file your tax return (use Schedule A (Form 1040) for itemized deductions). Some nonprofits, like Goodwill (Houston), even provide online tools to help track your donations. However, please note that we do not offer legal advice here and recommend consulting IRS guidelines or a tax professional for more details.
Turn Books into Cash: Check Out Book Buyback Value with the BookScouter App
Before donating your books, try checking their buyback value to potentially turn some of them into cash.
How’s this possible? With the BookScouter app (available on iOS and Android).
Simply scan books one by one to see if there are buyback offers available!
BookScouter checks over 30 vendors for buyback offers and displays results with the highest offer on top. You can then send your books for free (buyback vendors typically provide pre-paid shipping labels) and get paid when your books arrive at their destination.
Further Reading
If you’re looking for book-selling alternatives in other cities, check out our guides for Atlanta, Ashburn, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Florida, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle.
