Information about how to donate books to needy libraries. Also includes resources for those seeking donations.
Please be aware that the American Library Association does not accept or distribute donations of books or any other materials. This Guide provides information on some of the groups and organizations that do handle book donations.
We need book donations! What can we do?
You may be eligible to apply for donations from the groups listed on the other tabs in this resource. Contact the groups directly for application information and eligibility criteria.
Provides new and “gently read” recycled magazines and comics via food pantries, homeless and domestic violence shelters, youth mentoring and job training programs, foster care, and teachers reaching at-risk readers.
Wish Lists are a great way to keep track of what you want, and sometimes get great gifts. You can create many lists both for yourself and to remember gift ideas for others.
Many publishing houses donate books to non-profit organizations. To encourage book donations, AAP maintains a list of 501(c)3 and international organizations that wish to receive donated books from American publishers.
NEED BOOKS? Request a book donation through our online form.The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (D.U.C.) distributes books on contemporary art and culture to public schools, libraries, prisons, and alternative education centers nationwide, free of charge.
This list prvides a place for institutions and programs that have little or no money to post their need for educational materials. We do not include private colleges (especially those that charge high tuition fees), foundations of corporate firms, individuals, or other well off entities. Our donors wish to send their materials to those most desperately in need.
The International Book Bank aims to increase global literacy by donating brand new books to charities in developing countries.
The Local Donation program of the International Book Project is always looking to expand and provide literacy to those in need. If you have an organization and would like to be considered for a local book donation please fill out our local donations application. Once you have submitted your application, our Local Donations Coordinator will review your application and contact you.
Special non-matching grants through our Children’s Book Project program to libraries serving rural communities in the United States affected by recent tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, or other natural disasters. Libraries qualified to receive a Children’s Book Project: Disaster Relief grant can select $800 worth of new, quality, hardcover children’s books from The Pilcrow Foundation’s booklist. Locally sponsored matching funds are not required for the disaster relief grants.
The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.
The fund will provide grants to public schools whose school library program has been affected by a natural disaster. Grants are to replace or supplement books, media and/or library equipment in the school library setting.
The Bookapalooza Program offers select libraries a collection of materials that will help transform their collection and provide the opportunity for these materials to be used in their community in creative and innovative ways.
Two Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries are given annually - the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant will provide support to a library that would like to expand its existing graphic novel services and programs and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant will provides support to a library for the initiation of a graphic novel service, program or initiative.
Each year the YALSA office receives approximately 3,000 newly published books, videos, CD's and audiocassettes, materials that have been targeted primarily towards young adults.
The Romance Writers of America Library Grant is designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand its romance fiction collection and/or host romance fiction programming.
The Library of Congress has available at all times, for donation to eligible organizations and institutions, surplus books which are not needed for the Library's own uses. Receiving organizations must apply, as well as pick up the materials at the Library.