Donate Books
Our work wouldn’t be possible without book donations! However, there are certain kinds of books we always need and others we don’t. Before you donate, please check the guidelines below.
Donating books from our Bookshop.org wishlist
All titles on our Bookshop.org wishlist are in demand all the time! If you want to purchase books from our wishlist, they can be shipped to us at 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143. And by ordering from Bookshop.org, you will be supporting small booksellers. Thank you!
READ THIS BEFORE DONATING
We are now accepting book drives on a limited basis! Please thoroughly review the guidelines below and confirm with us via email in advance. Large donations take a lot of time, energy, and space to sort, shelve, and store!
We accept books only in new, good condition, or lightly used. Please do not donate a book to us that you would not gift to a loved one.
We do not accept hardcover books. Many prisons do not accept them and they are expensive to mail.
Please review the topics we currently need (listed below). Other than the topics listed below, we will accept books on a case-by-case basis.
Please donate books in a box or bag that you do not need returned to you.
“What kind of books do we need most right now?” (last updated 4/25/24)
BOOKS WE NEED Right Now
Fill-in puzzles: word search / crossword / sudoku
Beginner Spanish / books in Spanish
Learning Arabic / Hebrew / Sign Language
Daily / Weekly planner
GED test prep
Manga
Coloring
Paganism / wicca
Mythology / urban legends
LGBTQIA+: books for gay men / transgender resources
Art instruction: drawing / painting / tattooing
Art books with full page images
Crochet / origami
Math: algebra / geometry / calculus
Science: physics / quantum theory / astronomy
History (Especially Black/African!) / archaeology / geography
Genre fiction: Urban “Hood Books” / Mafia / Spy / Erotica / Western
Business: investing / stocks / grant writing / how to start a business
Vocational: automotive / HVAC / trucking / plumbing / welding
How-to-play: guitar (tabs) / song books / beginner AND advanced
Music bio / history / mags // hip-hop / metal / rock n roll
Sports: wrestling / boxing / martial arts / American football
Role playing game guides: Pathfinder / Warhammer / Dungeons&Dragons
Equipment free exercise (emphasis on building muscle NOT weight loss)
PDR “Physician’s Desk Reference” OR “pill book”
Computers: basic use / web development / programming / how to build
Off-grid / homesteading / wilderness survival skills / camping / RV / boating
Conspiracy theories / secret societies
Astrology / tarot / crystals / palmistry
ccult / vampire / werewolf / demons / ghosts
BOOKS WE don’t NEED
Hardcover books
Computer / law / investing / resource guides older than 5 years
Books on secular subjects with religious tone / content
Piles and piles of general fiction (non specific genre)
Books advocating sexism, homophobia, or white supremacy
Books with notes / underlining / mold / stains
Heavily warped / worn / torn / yellowed books
BOOKS WE Have more than enough of right now
Christianity / Islam / Judaism
Thriller / Sci - Fi / Fantasy (WOW!)
Plays
Poetry
Children’s and young adult
General fiction (non-genre fiction)
LSAT / SAT / GRE test prep
Books specifically for women
Parenting
Politics
Academic writing / journals
BOOKS WE could use more of
Yoga
Mysteries
True crime
Vocational: house construction / electrical
General addiction self-help (non-religious, not specific to AA or NA, etc.)
African / Latin American / Indigenous religion/spirituality
Law: criminal / civil procedure / rules of court / case law