Do you have used books sitting on your shelf, wasting space?

It’s almost difficult to give away books since they rarely retain any value. I’ve been denied donating books to a few local libraries!

Don’t fear, dear readers. Today’s Where Can I Wednesday column tackles exactly where you can donate all of those used and old books in Philadelphia.

Happy spring cleaning!

Where to Donate Used Books in Philadelphia:

• Books Through Bars is a nonprofit that donates books and educational materials to incarcerated individuals in PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, VA & WV. Make sure to read the book guidelines before donating: they request softcover books in good-to-excellent condition, especially educational and nonfiction. Their most wanted list? Books Through Bars requests educational versions like dictionaries, how to’s, textbooks, ESL, business best practices and recovery guides.
• Support the Free Library of Philadelphia by donating books to the Book Corner & the Next Page. Both locations accept books of all genres and formats that are gently used and/or in good condition.
• Philadelphia Reads Book Bank provides educators with books and supplemental classroom supplies. You can either donate individually, with your community and company by hosting a book drive by filling out a book drive form on their website.
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia accepts gently-used children’s books, most in need for children aged birth to 10 years.
• Better World Books provides drop-off bins throughout the US to collect used books. Better World sells books, carbon-balancing every order with certified offsets from 3degrees. The proceeds are donated to non-profit literacy organizations helping children, families, schools and libraries. A full list of drop-box locations are located on the website.
• As a last resort (i.e. if books are in poor condition), you can throw them in your Philadelphia Recycling Bins for curbside recycling.

Readers, do you donate used books with any other local organizations? Tell us in the comments!

Photo: Harris County Public Library

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher