Where to Donate Books?

With the June 1 start of HVAC renovations at the Bedford Free Public Library requiring a shift in storage space, the Friends of the Library are putting a hold on regular book donation drop-offs during the project. There will be special drop-off collection events announced during this time (including a collection on May 30 supporting the June 15 summer book sale).

But what else is there to do with book donations? 

A great first stop for suggestions to dispose of or recycling almost anything in town is the Bedford DPW Waste Wizard. 

The Waste Wizard donation recommendations include the book donation bin outside the Bedford Motel at 30 North Road. Or you may schedule a pickup with non-profits More than Words or CMRK/Big Brother Big Sister. These two groups, as well as other charitable organizations such as Vietnam Veterans of America and The Epilepsy Foundation, offer regular curbside pickup of not only books but also household and clothing items. Read the exclusions – often encyclopedias and other reference and textbooks may not be accepted. Similarly, there are plenty of area organizations that accept books/media (as well as household and clothing items) (for example, the Goodwill Truck near Grace Chapel in Lexington and Savers in Wilmington). 

Bedford also has a handful of Little Free Libraries that accept used books. 

The Used Book Superstore in Burlington accepts donations (there is a bin outside of the store), and will even give store credit or cash for recent media.  

Bedford residents can join the Bedford MA Free Stuff or Buy Nothing Bedford, MA Facebook groups and offer media to neighbors. 

If the books don’t need to get out of the home quickly, groups are often asking for donations for fundraising rummage or yard sales, and the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library will be back accepting donations drop offs full time following the HVAC project (the project is expected to last 18 months or so, but the special collection events and donations may resume during this time.)  

If books are not fit to be passed along, the WasteWizard suggests that paperbacks can be recycled with regular recycling (blue barrel), but that hardcovers cannot and must be put in the regular stream trash (black barrel).

What’s your favorite place for books or other donations? Leave a comment below!