Where to Donate Books
If you are a bibliophile then I am sure you must have shelves full of books at your home. But how often do you get time to go through all the used books? Rarely, right? Most of the books out there are brand new, read only once or twice and now left there to gather dust. Looking at your huge collection, you might wistfully think if you could find another bibliophile like you, whom you can donate your collection! As a matter of fact, there are many needy people out there who can benefit a great deal from your used books. Clearing away your old collection can make space in your home for new arrival of books.
Places to Donate Books
Book donations are possible through various charitable societies. Some non profit charity organizations often encourage people to give away their used books. While donating your books, always make sure they are in good condition, without missing pages and the cover intact. Given below are some places to donate books.
Shelters
Homeless shelter, foster homes are the best places to donate your books. Homeless shelters for women often have small children staying with their mothers. Hence, books for kids are often in demand. While donating books to foster homes, do check with the regulations regarding the content or kind of books permissible for reading.
Friends of Library
Friends of Library is an organization which works to gather funds for your local library. This organization often invites people to donate their used books for fundraising. The organization sells these used books to collect funds for the library. Although, there is no restriction on the subject matter of the book, your book needs to be in a good condition for sale.
Prisons
Strange as it might sound, but some prisons do have their own extensive libraries. Prisons are a great place to donate your book collection. However, the rules regarding donation are likely to be more stringent in case of a prison. For instance, you may not be allowed to donate a hard cover book or books dedicated to certain subjects. Discuss with the jail authorities to check if your collection pertains to the prison laws.
Schools
Schools usually have their own libraries and rarely accept donations from outsiders. However, it does not hurt to inquire if your local public school library is in need of some books. Again, you will have to take care of the subject matter permitted for reading in schools.
Donate Books Online
If it is not possible for you to find an organization in your locality that can accept your collection of used books, you can search on the Internet to find a suitable place to donate your books. So, know where to donate used books on the Internet.
JustGive
This is a great place to give away your old stuff, including books, furniture, etc. The organization ensures that your collection falls into right hands.
PaperBackSwap
You can mail your used books to this website at a cost of $1.59 per book. On each book, you can get some credits, which you can use, to buy new books.
Craigslist
Just like everything else, you can advertise your book collection for free. You will get hundreds of inquiries in an hour, depending upon your collection.
Apart from the above places, you can also approach certain non profit organizations which let you ship your books. If you particularly wish to know where to donate used textbooks, then Books for Africa is a good organization. Textbooks in English and French are always in demand here. Books for Soldiers and Salvation Army are the organizations which ship books to veterans and soldiers.
I hope after reading this article, you will definitely find a place where you can give away all your collection for a charitable cause.
