Where to Donate Books & Magazines
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Where to Donate Books & Magazines
Dec 2009
Does anyone know who might want a donation of a complete set of
National Geographic Magazines spanning over 40 years (from 1966 to the
present)? My dad recently passed away, and my mom would like to give
the collection to someone
who will appreciate it (if there is any such person/group in this
digital age).
- Kat
I'm not sure you're going to like this suggestion, because you may be wanting to
pass the magazines onto a collector or someone who would keep the magazines in
tact, as they belonged to your father and collected over many years. But as a
public school teacher, and parent, I know National Geographic magazines are
wonderful resources for classroom projects. However, that entails the magazines
getting all cut up and pasted into a child's new creation! If you and your
mother are okay with that, I'm sure your local school - actually, maybe several
schools, as it sounds like you have so many magazines - would appreciate them.
Oakland Teacher/Berkeley Parent
I'd call SCRAP:
www.scrap-sf.org
801 Toland St
San Francisco, CA 94124-1313
(415) 647-1746
you could also call:
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
4695 Telegraph Avenue (@47th Street)
Oakland, CA 94609
510.547.6470
Open daily, 11am-6pm
LK
Sept 2009
Hello - I am looking for places to donate children's books that my son
no longer uses - He is currently in Kindergarten. If you know of a
place where they collect children's books and then distribute them to
those in need, please let me know. Thanks!
Want to help children in need of books
The pediatrics department at both Kaiser Richmond and Kaiser Pinole
would love to have your books for the waiting rooms (and kids are
allowed to take one home if they want). Call them for info on drop
off hours.
--love to share books
Consider your local public school (pre-school or elementary)for
gently used children's books. School libraries sometimes can use
donated books to augment the collection and/or use donations for
fundraisers or sometimes have a ''take one, leave one'' shelf for
families (with the leave one not a requirement to take). Classroom
teachers also LOVE to have gently used books for their classroom
reading nooks/shelves (for kids who have finished their work early,
for self-directed reading, or group story time, etc). Also
sometimes teachers give out ''like new'' books as a reward for
behavior achievements (perfect attendance, always raised hand, 100%
homework completion, etc.).
Karen H.
The East Bay Children's Book Project is a fantastic organization
that gives books to children in need to increase literacy rates.
They are located near Grand/Lake:
http://www.eastbaychildrensbookproject.org/
Ruth
Donate them to your son's teacher, or to the local library for a
book sale. The Albany library always takes book donations.
The East Bay Children's Book Project located at 2008 Park Blvd.
in Oakland takes new and gently used children's books and gives them
to any professional who works with children in need. The donated
books are given to teachers, social workers and pediatricians. Check
out the website for more information http://www.ebcbp.org/ Ann
two suggestions:
1. Children's Hospital Oakland has a book cart for kids. If a
child likes a particular book, they are welcome to take it home.
2. Ursula Sherman Village (aka Harrison House), on Harrison Street
in Berkeley (just north of Gilman) has programs for homeless
families - both long-term transitional housing and short-term
emergency housing. They have many young children, and would
probably love to receive donations of children's books. For more
info: http://www.self-sufficiency.org/what/housing/programs/
R.K.
East Bay Children's Book Project:
http://www.eastbaychildrensbookproject.org/
Great program that we make use of in the low-income clinic where I
work. Books go to clinics, schools, and other organizations that
serve poor kids. Last I checked they had a donation bag at Piedmont
Grocery on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.
grateful pediatrician
Have the perfect place for you!
http://www.eastbaychildrensbookproject.org/about/
This is a GREAT organization!!
I work in a pediatric clinic and we collect books for our waiting
and exam rooms from here. If you happen to live in San Leandro and
don't want to travel too far, we would also love to take any
donations! Would save me a trip to the Children's Book Project!
Bancroft Pediatric Medical Group
(510) 483-2600
Miriam
My kids' elementary school in Moraga often donates books and
organizes working field trips to the Books for the Barrios
organization. I believe most of their work is with the poor in the
Philippines. It seems like a great organization:
http://www.booksforthebarrios.com/main/about-us.html
A great place to donate children's books is The Children's Book Project
www.childrensbookproject.org I'm not sure if they currently have a drop-off site in
the East Bay, but you can find out by calling 415 401 6315. It may even be possible
to arrange for pick up.
May 2008
I am wondering if anyone knows anywhere where I can donate old
textbooks too? I went to nursing school a few years back and have
old textbooks on various areas of nursing, anatomy, and
microbiology.
Thanks
beth
Moe's on College. They send them to prisons. Just bring them
in a sturdy box and put them in their metal shed under the
stairs in the front room to the left of the entrance. They will
not accept more than will fit, so maybe give a call (510)
849-2087 and ask someone to physically check for you. Esp. if
you have a lot and it would be a challenge to not unload when
you arrive.
Heather
Nov 2007
I have a box of books, games/puzzles (not children's) that I would like to
donate. Looking for suggestions on maybe a women's shelter or ?
Thank you.
Carol
You could mail them to soldiers stuck in Iraq or Afghanistan. Check out
Anysoldier.com. Find the name and address of a soldier. Get one of those
standard $8.00 boxes at the post office (you don't pay for it intil you
actually mail it). Fill out the address and customs form according to
specific and good directions on the web site and send it off. Some
soldiers would be glad to get new reading materials and puzzles and any of
the other items listed on anysoldier.com.
Anysoldier.com user
June 2007
FYI, For ''Drowning in books posting'' and/or anyone clearing off their book
shelves-- the Children's Book Project is a WONDERFUL resource...they take books ages
infant-18years old and they then sort and distribute them for you...they go to
daycares, preschools, school libraries, etc. If you have a lot of books, they'll
even pick them up for you. We just donated several boxes and they were so pleasant
and appreciative. For more information, you can see their website:
http://www.childrensbookproject.org/
A book-loving mom
For the person trying to reuse/recycle books: try the local libray and then if that
doesn't work, El Cerrito recycling center takes books, magazines, cell phones, eye
glasses, clean plastic grocery and newspaper wraping bags, plus a full complement of
the ''reguar recyclables'', and there is a Goodwill donation station there. The
prority is reuse and then recycling. You can get more info at www.ecrecycling.org
Heather
Sept 2006
Thank you so much to everyone wh0 contacted me and donated items to
Books for the Barrios - I was overwhelmed by the response! And if I
didn't connect with you I'm very sorry, I received so many emails I
had trouble keeping track!
If anyone is interested in donating the following items to Books for
the Barrios, check out their website for information, they are located
in Concord: http://www.booksforthebarrios.com/F2nd_Y.html
* Games and Puzzles
* Toys, Stuffed Animals and Tennis Balls
* Athletic Equipment
* Crayons, Pencils and Scissors
* Clean Scrap Paper
* Children's Storybooks
* National Geographic Magazines
* Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
* Computers (Pentium III, or IV in working condition only)
* Monitors ($20 Donation Fee)
* Little Girls Dresses
thanks to all!
nancy
June 2006
I have decided it is time to get rid of my old college / grad
school textbooks. I have probably 3-4 boxes of
science/math/engineering books that were used 10 years ago. I
doubt that donation places (like goodwill) would want such
technical textbooks. I don't think I could sell them on ebay due
to their age. I would like to avoid just putting them in the
recycling bin...any ideas of where I might donate the books?
Amy
Check out Books for the Barrios to donate old textbooks. It is a great organization and easy
to donate. Here's the link: http://www.booksforthebarrios.com/
F2nd_Y.html
Michelle
I donate mine to public libraries
jp
I came across a blurb in the latest O Magazine about places to pass on your used textbooks:
International Book Project
intlbookproject.org
The organization collects an extensive array of basic subject textbooks for pre-kindergarten
through graduate school levels, general library books, nursing and other specialized medical
texts, as well as popular and technical journals, reference materials, and fiction. The
organization's partners include primary and secondary schools, universities, libraries,
hospitals, churches, orphanages, and Peace Corps volunteers around the world.
Books for Soldiers
booksforsoliders.com
At this site, soliders, sailors, and merchant marines make requests in an online forum; you
send books directly to the soliders. It's kind of like a book ebay site.
Hope your books find a good home
Zaretta
June 2003
I'm finally parting with a bunch of textbooks that I've had
since grad school--not sure why I've kept them this long
except for sentimental reasons. It doesn't seem that a
library would be interested in a donation of textbooks. Is
there any organization that would accept/benefit from them?
These are business school textbooks covering the usual
topics: finance, accounting, marketing, economics, etc.
Clarisse
You can donate them to the ''friends of the library'' association
of your local branch. They won't put them on the shelves, but
they will sell them at their booksales and the money does benefit
the library.
Just a note regarding used textbooks. Someone
recommended Friends of the Library taking them and using
them at their sales. I am not sure where you live, but in
Contra Costa County, Friends of the Library does not even
want them. They specifically note that on their donation bins.
It's tough to find someone who will take them. You might try
Books for Barrios -- don't have the #, but I think that they will
take them. Sorry I can't help more!
Trish
July 2004
Hi, I have tons of books and magazines to get rid of. I didn't
know if there is a place I can recycle these old magazines and
books. Does anyone know?
moving soon
A couple of suggestions:
1. If your magazines are no more than one year old, you can leave
them at the magazine exchange at the North Berkeley Library
(Hopkins at the Alameda).
2. If the magazines and books may be of interest to older folks,
ask the folks at your nearby senior center if they might like to
have them.
3. Books in decent condition can be donated to libraries, usually
through their ''Friends of...'' organization. In most cases, the
books are them offered for sale at the library's fund-raising
book sales.
4. Children's and teen books in good condition can be donated to
Children's hospital.
R.K.
You can take old books to Friends of the Library book store
on Durant Ave, just below Telegraph. Call Main Library to
find out details. Maybe they take magazines also. You can
also take some books to individual branch libraries where
they sell them for $1.00 or so.
anon
June 2004
We have a box of old (average about 1-2 years old) magazines
that range the gamut from New Yorker, to Climbing, to Self, and
Fit Pregnancy, etc.
Since most of the articles aren't super time-sensitive, it
seems a shame to toss these all into our recycling can. Does
anyone know of a good place to donate them? I imagine
hospitals, government aid waiting rooms, even places that want
English texts to teach English might have some use for them.
Sarah
There is a great magazine exchange rack at the North Berkeley
branch library. People leave their magazines, and can take
others if they like. It's on a big baker's type rack near the
door.
anne
April 2003
Any suggestions for where I might donate used books? I have a
few small crates I'd like to get rid of (not sell) and I am
hoping someone can use them for charitable purposes.
Liz O.
Do you have some used books to donate to a worthy cause? I am
seeking used book donations for Crowded Fire Theater Company.
We sell the books through Amazon.com, Ebay, and local
booksellers to raise money for our nonprofit theater program.
For directions and more information, please visit our web site:
www.crowdedfire.org/firebooks
If you have any questions, or for other ways to donate books,
please contact me: mitchellATcrowdedfireDOTorg
Thank you!
Mitchell
I recommend the Friends of the Berkeley Library --
http://www.infopeople.org/bpl/support/friends.html , located
underneath the Sather Gate garage southside of campus. You can
bring in your donation any time it's open, and they'll validate
your parking. Just park in the garage, take the elevator down,
and you're right there. They'll give you a tax receipt, too.
I just donated three bags of books (making room for babies!),
and they are very grateful and nice there.
Wendy
A few ideas: With public school libraries severely underfunded,
they may want some of your books. Bananas (on Claremont near
Telegragh) accepts donations of books that child-care providers
can take. I don't know if it is still there, but Cody's had a
drop-off bin to donate books to a charity. You don't have to
buy the books there to donate them. Senior Centers often
accept donations of books for their clients. Every public
library in this area accepts donations that they will either
keep or sell at their fund-raising book sales. El Cerrito
Recycling Center has a free book exchange.
R.K.
Most libraries take book donations. They give you a receipt
for tax deduction purposes, and then sell the books at their
Friends of the Library sales to raise money for the branch.
Claire
Berkeley public library.
Try the Berkeley Public Library's Friends of the Library shop--
they are located on the ground floor of the Channing Street
garage. Also, a fabulous place to buy LOTS of inexpensive and
wonderful books!
Saskia
We donated some books to the Berkeley Public Library. I believe
the group Friends of the Library maintains a little store to the
right when you enter the front door.
Moe's book shop on Telegraph also collects books that go to
prison libraries.
Susan Persin
You might consider giving them to your local library. I know
the BPL has a regular book sale, at which they sell used and
deaccessioned books as part of their fundraising. Oakland PL
may do the same.
Wendy
Friends of the oakland Public library. On washington between
7th & 8th, in old oakland. They sell donated books to help fund
the oakland library.
The El Cerrito Library, a branch of the Contra Costa County
Libraries, accepts book donations. They sell them at
fund-raising sales to benefit the library.
The same is probably true for every library...
-- a reader and library patron
July 2002
I'm considering selling or donating my collection of French
literature paperbacks (left over from my college days). Any
suggestions?
Elysse
Hello Elysse,
I teach French at San Domenico School and I don't have a lot of
French litterature available for my students to read during their
free time. Which books do you have and how many??? I would be
interested to take them!
Isabelle
Elysse-
I collect books that I dirstribute for free in economically-
challenged areas of the East Bay. If you'd like to dontate your
books, I'll pick them up. Send email to
elaineATalumDotcalberkeley.org Thanks!
Elaine Connolly, Hey, Read This!
Feb 2003
Hi, we have about 20 old videos that we would like to get rid
of. They consists of movies and sports. Does anyone know where
we could give them away, like a library or a school?
Thanks
Ruthy
The Family Resource & Information Center at Children's Hospital
Oakland lends videos to families whose children are
hospitalized. Our collection depends entirely donations. We
are especially interested in videos for older children, though
have a PG-13 maximum rating limit. For more information, feel
free to contact us at 428-3549. Thanks very much.
Christine
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