1. Read and collect them.
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3. Donate to the local library.
Reach out to your local library to see what their policies or limitations are to accept donations.
4. Host giveaways.
Be sure to giveaways are compliant to local, state and federal laws.
5. Start a little free library.
For more info, check out the Little Free Library organization website here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/.
If any of the above does not work for you, consider donating to the following places:
6. Salvation Army.
Books donated to a local Salvation Army will be sold at their stores to further their ministry or pass onto people at their various outreach programs like homeless shelters and rehabilitation facilities.
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Personally, I love this route. I reached out to a local Christian school and donated many of my books which I know will fill their school library or used in their bi-annual sale with proceeds to fund additional programs that had their funding cut.
Check local schools and see if they will accept book donations, and if there are any limitations such as age group, genres or quantity.
8. Goodwill
Like Salvation Army, Goodwill will resell donated books at their thrift stores and use the proceeds to fund their programs.
9. Vietnam Veterans of America
"The Vietnam Veterans of America sells your donated items to private companies by annual bid which generates the majority of the funding to support the local, state, and national programs of the Vietnam Veterans of America." Schedule a pick up here: https://pickupplease.org/about-vva/
10. Retirement Homes
Check your local retirement or assisted living facilities. They usually have a small library that provide reading material to their residents.
11. Kids Need to Read
"Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children." Find out more on their website: https://www.kidsneedtoread.org
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These two non-profit organizations solicit volunteers and donations to send books to our domestic and oversea military. For more info, check out their respective website (linked above).
13. Reader to Reader
"Reader to Reader, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding literacy and learning opportunities for the nation's most chronically underserved and vulnerable communities, including inner-city schools, Native American reservations, and poor rural towns." For more info: http://www.readertoreader.org
Did you know there were so many ways to share your love of books and your actual books? How do you share your books?
In conclusion, I would like to share a box of books with one US reader! Just leave a comment below and a winner will be announced in tomorrow's WE!
Annie is proud to be one of the founding stewards of the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR), the first readers' retreat of its kind, and the cofounder of JustRead Publicity Tours. She loves all things book and bookish, and most of all, Jesus. You can find her at @justcommonly on Instagram.
You know, this is great advice for book collectors or hoarders... because there are so many outlets out there for people whose book collections have taken over their lives... and believe me, I know exactly how this can happen! First, because you love a story... second, because each book has a monetary value. If you spent $12.99 on the book, the idea of just handing a hundred of them away is like WHAT????? .... and yet, what a great thing to do for those who need or want to shop thrift stores, and the money goes to help the "least of these".
ReplyDeleteDouble win!
And a tax write off!
And while I wouldn't recognize Marie Kondo if we had tea together, I think Americans (and I'm talking personally here, too) need to downsize, minimize and pass on those treasures. You know, we went through a time in the 80's where EVERYONE was collecting EVERYTHING.
We're still clearing out some of those things from relative's homes, and it makes you wonder what we were thinking. So now, if the profits from all that collecting can help others, I'm all for it!
Great thoughts, Annie!
Ruthy, it's hard for me to part with books too. I think it's hard for most writers. I especially struggle with books by people I know, because it's like giving away a little piece of their heart. Also they're usually inscribed.
DeleteSo true, KB. I must confess...I'm a book hoarder!
DeleteI know what you mean. It was and still very hard to part with my books, and I still have quite a lot to go through. However, it was good to know it's going to the hands of those who want them or could use a book or two. The school I donated to were extremely grateful. Thanks Ruthy! Annie
DeleteKB and Debby, me too!
DeleteAnnie
I was a terrible book hoarder too! But when we moved, I didn't have nearly the space for my books (no more basement). As painful as it was, I finally parted with books I knew I would never read or had already read. Although, I did keep my Seeker shelf of books! And I kept my all-time favorite authors' books on my Keeper Shelf. :)
DeleteI also have to add that my Seeker Keeper Shelf/Shelves has now become unmanageable!!! LOL Either the ladies need to quit publishing so many books, or else I'll have to start letting them go at some point! :)
DeleteMissy, I have several Keeper Shelves and I'm supposed to limit them. I definitely can do Marie Kondo style.. but I just can't let them go! LOL
DeleteAnnie, these are all good tips and I need to act on some of them. Here's one more: I donated a couple of boxes of books to our church library. That way I can "visit" them any time I want.
ReplyDeleteSo I sold a copy of "Westward Hope" to my longtime dental hygienist, who is also a friend, and I inscribed it because that's what you do. She was pleased but then said, "Maybe I can donate this to my local library when I'm done." I kind of freaked because she wanted to donate MY book and she hadn't even read it yet, but then I realized that it's not healthy to hang on to things. For myself or other people.
Last year I helped clean out a relative's house (HOARDER) and we're still working on my dad's house five years after his death (PACK RAT). Pack rats are cleaner than hoarders and they don't stockpile pets. My dad's stuff is meticulously organized, catalogued and labeled, sometimes cross-referenced, but it's still stuff.
We all need to cleanse our minds first, of the dismaying notion that "It will come in handy some day." Most things won't.
Busy day today, it's cold and raining and I have some loose ends to tie up here before having brunch with my crit partner, which is always fun.
Kaybee
I have my parents' "stuff" in my storage area. Yes, I got rid of a lot of their things, but I brought some home too. Photographs that I need to go through...but when will I find time to do it? So eventually, my kids will have my stuff to plow through as well as my parents' stuff. Must start unloading the things I hold onto for no apparent reason...except for the memories.
DeleteYes! I agree. Church libraries are a great option too! Thank you!
DeleteAnnie, such great suggestions about sharing the books we love. I donate some to my local charity. Like the Salvation Army, as you mentioned, the books are sold at a huge discount, which brings revenue to the charity and happiness to the readers buying the books.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree! It is a great way to share books!
DeleteI was visiting a friend at our local behavior health ward at the hospital. I noticed a bookshelf of books and DVDs that the patients use in their downtime. That's another place that might take them. Thanks for the list. We could probably all stand to do some decluttering this spring!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Glynis!
DeleteThanks for the info, Glynis!
DeleteI carry a few of my books with me and if I'm in a hotel with a library or my mom's nursing home has a small library or anywhere like that, the cabin we stay in in Minnesota fishing has a bookshelf...anyplace like that and you can't always know where it'll be...I'll stick a book of mine of the shelf. I've donated them to 2nd hand stores. Put it on your shelf and sell it.
DeleteMy doctor's office has a book shelf. In case your wait gets to be...six hours long? But I'd stuck a book on that shelf. I also donate to my local senior center.
DeleteFunny story.
I give my local senior center a copy of my books as they release and they were getting STOLEN. I'm sure they were just forgetting to bring them back or passing them on but it was EVERY SINGLE BOOK.
So they started keeping them in the office and making people sign them out.
I've been stolen, like a REMBRANDT
DeleteAll great ideas! I've given CDs to my endodontist's office. Music helps relieve stress from dental procedures. I'll have to check my doctor's offices and see if there's a bookshelf.
DeleteMary, I guess that's better than just collecting dust on the shelf in the senior center. At least you know people want to read them!
DeleteAnnie, I love these ideas! When we moved four years ago, we donated to our local library. What they didn't take to shelve, they would sell for the Friends of the Library annual fundraiser (an event I had volunteered at before). We took hundreds of books! The boxes wouldn't even fit in one vehicle. I was so pleased to pare down and to be able to help the library as well.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, I'm buying more ebooks and also checking out books from the library when I can.
YAY! Our local library will only take a max of 1 box of books a time, but I know the feeling. I was happy to have helped the local Christian school. I had to make two trips with boxes of books.
DeleteI also donate to my local church which has a small library.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did Operation Paperback for a while but it seemed like they have very specific requests and I was hard pressed to fill their needs.
I donate books, really try to comb through my collection, to my local church. My local libraries. I also take sacks of Christian fiction to church for our weekly coffee hour and plunk them on a table and say, FREE. Any that don't go get left for our library and I always tell them to pass them on.
I also take my books to booksignings that are NOT bookstore related, like church and library signings and put the book out and say, "Free for a $10 donation to the library (or whatever group is hosting). So that makes the library some money and earns me some goodwill.
I pass books on to my sisters, neighbors and children, too.
Awesome! I love the "Free for a $10 donation to the library." That's a great idea! Great ways to help raise monetary donations!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful advice and links. I have really thought about setting up a little library in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. I'm happy to share and glad you're thinking of a little library! I love passing by those. They are always cute. There's one in my neighborhood that I also put a book in whenever I know I'll be on that block.
DeleteHospital gift shops will take book donations and sell for cheap to patients or those waiting
ReplyDeleteI did not know that! Thanks for letting me know. I will check that out.
DeleteThese are all fabulous ideas! I tend to hoard books, but have recently tried to pry my hands off some and give them away. I would like to do more giveaways on the blog I'm trying to revive. I also recently found out that the weekly homeless feed that my church is involved in is starting to give away books, so I may donate some there. Of course, there's mostly men at the feed, so they might not want my romance books. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat is great! I wonder if they have female family or friends from shelters that they know might like a book too.
DeleteSherrinda, I love the idea of donating books to food kitchens. My church is involved with feeding the poor! I supplies pies. Never thought about sending books as well. Thanks!
DeleteThank you for the giveaway and for the post. These are great uses for our books!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you so much for these resources! My local used book store gives 1/2 off credit when I donate my books to them. I use it to buy books for my daughters! Win-win.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a win win. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWe had a wonderful independent book seller in my town that also carried used books. The store was fantastic and the owner was a lovely lady! Regrettably, she went out of business due to the big box book stores. :(
DeleteHi Annie:
ReplyDeleteBefore the internet, I always kept the books I read for reference and later use. Trips to the library were time-consuming and often non-productive. Since the internet I have given away over 100 boxes of books (over 50 years worth) which required Goodwill to send a moving truck and two men.
I prefer Goodwill because they employ handicapped and hard to fit into the labor market workers. Goodwill has the time and people to place thousands of books on the internet for sale. They sell at low prices and make a little money on the shipping and handling. This almost guarantees that Goodwill books will sell before any of the other books of the same title also being offered.
This arrangement benefits the people who buy the books as well. I know my books will be well taken care of and be actually marketed. Also the Goodwill sellers, (check Amazon), have very high ratings for good service. I always look for Goodwill sellers under the "Also for Sale" on Amazon when I buy books. It works well both ways.
What I Would Like to See
I wish that those who donate their books to reputable organizations would be able to get a free ebook copy of those same books from the publishers. Perhaps the publishers could get a tax deduction for doing this.
These rescued books could go to prison libraries, small town libraries, even foreign countries where they would be welcome and needed -- especially for those trying to learn English.
This would be ideal for me as I would be giving the books away and yet I would still have them! The replacement ebooks would take up no room and would be replaceable if destroyed. There are not many useful items you can give away and still have -- but with books you can.
Vince
Thank you, Vince. I'm sure your donations were greatly appreciated and put to many use for Goodwill's programs.
DeleteThough I would love to get ebooks for all my books, but I would disagree for publishers to provide ebook of the equivalent book we donate. I'm sure they would love a tax deduction. However, I feel that it will take away from earnings for not only the publisher but the authors themselves. I'm not sure what percentage an author gets for each ebook sale, but I'm sure it's not that much. And if by donating a book one purchased, they will get a free ebook, the lost of revenue on the ebook side can sure add up.
As to other options you mentioned, there is the Prison Book Program and Books Through Bars that caters towards providing reading material to prisoners. As for overseas, the African Library Project and Books for Africa are the only ones I know of. Great ideas to help those trying to learn English.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing.
Hi Justcommonly:
DeleteI understand your cancers about lost revenue to publishers and authors as I was not clear that the "reputable organizations" were end use charities only and as such were not offering the donated books for sale. As such the publishers and authors would not be losing any money in that the books would not have been sold in any event. The person who donated the book most likely bought it and with the ebook he still has it. He is basically were he was.
BTW: Amazon has something like this in that for many publishers who sell on Amazon, if you buy the print book, you can have the ebook from for free to up to $2.99.
To me this deal, if it could work the way I envision it, would be a WIN/WIN/WIN situation. The donor still has a copy of the book while freeing up space in his home, the charity gets a book, and the publisher gets a tax deduction from a situation where he would not have received anything anyway. What's not to like? :)
this is a great post. a great reminder. we dont need to hoard all of our books, we need to share the joy and love of reading with others. I like donating to our library, our church has a library that I donate to, and a couple of used book stores I donate to. Also I share a lot of books with friends and family. When they are done, they pass them on to someone else and so on. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori. I love what you said about sharing the joy and love of reading with others. Keep it up! I know others appreciate it. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteIt’s so hard to part with books!! But when I do they always go to my local library. They only have a small Christian Fiction section, so I tell myself that I’m building that up to make me feel better about saying goodbye. Plus I will still always have access to them ��
ReplyDeleteI agree. I always donate mostly CF to my local library and I put in a lot of requests. I'd like to think our CF section had increased over the years I've been going. LOL. Funny though, they do not have a separate CF. It is all lumped into fiction by authors (though there is a separate romance section).
Delete:) I shared this story before. Both my husband and I are avid readers and didn't own a tv when we first got married. When the movers were moving us from our little 2 bed apt to our house, they asked us if we ever heard of a tv for entertainment! They obviously didn't have the same kind of appreciation for boxes of books...lol.
ReplyDeleteI try to purge twice a year. It seems we clear out a little space only to fill it with finds from thrift stores....
I usually set aside a box of CF books I'm done with for a Bible Camp where were go. They hold a book sale to help fund the trailer park portion of the camp. I also take boxes of books to the Mission Thrift Store which used to be named Bibles for Missions.
Another place that will accept books are women's shelters though you have to be careful with the content. Any abusive or violent scenes in a book won't be accepted so you'll have to be careful with that one.
There are other campgrounds that have lending libraries for guests and are happy to accept donations (a great way to slip in a couple of CF books that might be subtle with their titles).
I have thought about donating to schools too. Thanks for your list Annie...hope the doctor's orders don't include purging your ebooks.... :(
Lee-Ann, great ideas! Women's shelters would be one I would like to look into. So many CF had supported me, so I'm sure they would be a little balm to their souls. I would have to make sure about the triggers in them.
DeleteI'm glad I don't have to purge my ebooks. I'm slowly collecting them again. Years of physical books really may take years to get the ebooks back. I still get physical books to finish off a series or collection that's on my keeper shelf. So we shall see. Sadly, one of my side effects includes vision problems. Less screentime is also part of the remedy. So ebooks will be limited as well. I need to be in a bubble! LOL.
Lee-Ann, I love the story about your movers! LOL!
DeleteIf I don't resell my books, I will often give them to the church library.
ReplyDeleteRetirement homes are a great idea!
Thanks! Donating books is always a good idea. Thanks for being a part of it!
DeleteYou've given some great ideas here, Annie. Wish I would have had a reference sheet like this when we had to clear out my in-laws library. Actually, they had a lot of antique books, too, so we held onto most of those. And then we had to purge our own stuff when we moved. Fortunately, we were in the "big city" then and had lots of outlets. It's a little tougher in a small town, but with this list you gave, I'm bound to get some ideas. Nowadays, I tend to stick to Kindle versions. The best part is that I can take my entire library with me wherever I go. I'm sorry you're having to part with your books, though. I know it's tough thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mindy. I'd imagine it's harder with a small town too. I'm sure there are many more ways and some villagers/Seekers also commented several options. I have some older collectible books that I'll have to think of what to do with as well.
DeleteI read so many books and always donate them for others to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNice!! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteThanks for sharing your books with others, curlyblu918!
DeleteSo sorry you are having health problems and, especially, that it involves getting rid of your books. I have fibromyalgia and all the side effects associated with it as well as blindness in one eye and dry eyes, so my vision stays blurry most of the time. I'm hoping my ability to read will hold out. The e-readers hurt my eyes and I can't read for very long at a time with those when doing ARCs. I hope you find a way to keep on reading.
ReplyDeleteYour list was informative. I did not know of all these.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Linda - rayorr[at]bellsouth[dot]net
Thank you, Linda. I hope your vision will get better. Have you tried the paperwhite? It seems to be better for my eyes than the backlit Kindle ones.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Linda R, I'm praying for your eyes! Bless you!
DeletePraying for Annie's health too!
I've done a few of these suggestions and it makes me feel good. I never read a book more than once and so it's nice that there are options to donate them to someone else who will enjoy it like I did! Thanks for your great suggestions, Annie! We all want to encourage reading!!! Let's make it accessible to those who might not be able to buy at full price!
ReplyDeleteValri, so good to see your comment. Hope all is well! So true about making books available for those who aren't able to buy them. :)
DeleteThank you! I love that booklovers are the biggest advocates for reading!
DeleteWhat great ideas. I do donate to the library and give to friends and family, but I find it hard to part with an autographed book. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI agree about wanting to keep signed copies. I also keep all Seeker books. :)
DeleteSo true, especially those that personally signed to you.
DeleteAs a public school teacher, I love your ideas on donating to schools and children. So many of the students at my school can't afford books and really rely on donations.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Good to know, LeAnne!
DeleteThank you LeAnne! My love of reading started in school, so I'm happy to share that with students!
DeleteOoh, I never thought of some of these donation spots. I usually donate my books to Goodwill or my library. Thank you for these recommendations! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Abigail! Goodwill and libraries are great options! Thank you for sharing!
DeleteGreat tips, Annie. When I finish with a book, I usually give it away. Occasionally to the local library but most often to my granddaughter, several book-loving friends, or the church library.
ReplyDeletejust in case: anne at rightler dot com
I love that you give to your granddaughter. It's so good to start the love of reading young!
DeleteAnnie, I'm sorry your health is requiring you to downsize your books. I hope it helps. I donate books to my church library. The book store where I work also buys back used books and sells them in the store. They pay .50 for hard cover and .25 for paperback, so not a big money maker but the people who sell them know they are going someplace where somebody else might enjoy them. I have also sold books at a garage sale and had success that way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. It has helped a bit, I believe. My love of reading won't go away, just different ways to go about it now. LOL.
DeleteGarage sales is a great option too!! Thanks!
The retirement community where my husband works has a library. It's well-organized and full of good books. Most of the people who live there enjoy getting new books.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I'm so sorry the doctor has told you to get rid of books. When we downsized, I lovingly boxed up the books I was donating and tried to imagine how much joy they'd bring to others.
Thanks for sharing these great ideas.
Thank you Jackie. Like you, knowing that my books will bring joy to others have truly helped ease the pain. LOL. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteThis is such a great idea. I'm sorry you have to get rid of them. It would break my heart if I was told that. I had to cancel a trip, and I'll definitely be reading more. Would love them. They'll have a lot of friends in my home, lol!
ReplyDeleteMy comment doesn't link to proper URL. This will. I looked at my books and almost cried thinking of your plight. Many thoughts and prayers.
DeleteThank you, Marie. I know all readers will commiserate with me on this. So sorry for your cancelled trip, but yay for more reading time! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI need to cull my books again. I give them to friends and my Church Library and my daughter. I need to get my husband to box up a few again to make room for some more.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to hear you have to give up some of yours.
Hi Paula. Thank you for sharing here and your books with others.
DeleteI would give your box of books a home! Love Christian Historical Fiction. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thank you, Kathleen!
DeleteI had no idea there were so many places you can give your books! I'll have to remember all of them! I like the veteran idea, I'm surprised I haven't thought of/seen that suggestion before.
ReplyDeleteThere are actually quite a few more! I also like the Veterans one as well.
DeleteYes, as a librarian please contact the library before dropping off your donations! We appreciate you thinking of us, but due to space or other situations, a library might not be able to accept donations. :) Thanks for the chance to win, Annie!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know the inside scoop! Yes, my local library will only take up to one box, and with certain criteria with the books themselves.
DeleteI love this. For a long time I had a hard time giving my books away. But then I realized I don’t need to hold onto them if I can share my love of them. So we have a family library and allow our friends to come in and “check out” books, they return them to allow others to read. It’s seriously so fun to hear how much people enjoy the same types of stories I do and to hear why they loved each book they borrowed.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely a MARVELOUS idea! I love that first you have a family of readers, and second, what a great hospitable and reason to get together as well.
DeleteThis is so helpful and hopeful! Worthy causes and our books can be little missionaries going out into the world! I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteYes yes! I love to think of it as missions as well. *wink wink
Delete