Are you decluttering, moving or downsizing? Or maybe you just need to make space on your bookshelves for new books! Either way, you'd like to know where to donate books. Here are the best options:
1. Your local charity store
These would be thrift shops that sell used items cheaply with the revenue supporting a charity. Well-known examples of these worldwide are the Salvation Army shop and St. Vincent de Paul stores. Depending where you live, you will also likely have other church-based and secular charitable stores near you. It's worth doing a search for "charity store" or "charity shop" plus the name of your town or city (e.g. Kansas City).
This is my usual go-to because it's the easiest place to donate books - they will accept them all right away, which not all of the other places will do.
2. Your city's homeless shelters
You should call up to ask first if your local homeless shelter is in need of books. This can greatly help them if they are in need. But don't feel slighted if they don't want your books. Many shelters have to make the most of every bit of space they have, so it may be that they don't have anywhere for the books to be. It may also be that the residents have more pressing needs, such as resume training and job skills. Anything that doesn't fulfill the most pressing needs may be declined so staff and volunteers can focus on those needs. It's always well worth asking though - if they need your books, you will be making a huge difference to a sector of the population who really need it.
3. Freecycle or other local donation groups
Freecycle is a great way to make sure your books get a good home locally! You simply sign up to your local freecycle group and put up a listing saying your books are available. Facebook is another venue for that. Do be careful about your safety - arrange pickup in such a way that you don't have to meet a stranger or let them into your home. When you have someone interested in your books, you can indicate a pickup window timeframe for them to pick up the books from your front porch or other similar area. The great news about this is that you don't have to go anywhere to donate books - the recipient will pick them up.
4. Your local public library
Many public libraries have a store where they sell old library books at a nominal price to the public in order to raise money and to make room on their shelves for new books.
Some of these library stores accept donations of books from the public (not just from the library system), since they can sell the books to raise money. It's worth checking about this at your local library branch.
5. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
You local Habitat for Humanity ReStore may be needing books. It's worth calling your local ReStore first, as some have to make the most of their space and are only accepting large items such as washing machines, refrigerators, beds, etc. Call up and find out! If they accept them, it's a great place for your books to find a good home.
6. Put them out on the curb with a "Free" sign
If you have a decent amount of drive-by or foot traffic on your street, and if the weather is good, clearly label them with a sign "Free" and most likely you will find they get taken pretty quickly. This works well if you're in an area or season with little to no rainfall, but otherwise it's best to try one of the other avenues above. After all, it would defeat the purpose of giving them away if your books get damaged by weather before they can make it to a good home!
Conclusion
Above are 6 best places for donating books. It's a great feeling when you free up that extra space in your home!
If you're decluttering, you might be looking for a fresh start. Why not start a journal? Here I cover how and what to journal in a way that will actually help YOU (and not just have it become another thing to do).
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