Materials We Accept

We also accept:

• Books signed by the author
• Teaching materials
• Foreign language dictionaries and study materials
• Yearbooks and directories
• Maps and atlases
• Calendars and planners (new, current year or later)
• Crossword, Sudoku, and other puzzle books (new)
• Adult and children's coloring books (new)
• Journals and notebooks (new)
• Framed and unframed art
• Vintage auto repair manuals
• Antiques and collectibles price guides
• Video game consoles and gaming accessories (working condition)

We prefer not to accept:

• Tax books or test preparation guides older than 3 years
• Travel guides older than 4 years
• Medical, law, personal finance, and computer books older than 5 years
• Encyclopedias, almanacs, and other reference books older than 10 years

We do not accept:

• VHS tapes
  
• Cassette tapes
• Reel to reel audio recordings
  
• Computer games or software
• Magazines or newspapers
• Personal photographs or albums
  
• Homemade AV recordings (CDs, DVDs, VHS, cassettes, etc.)
• Computer disks, disk drives, or other storage devices
  
• Electronics, housewares, furniture, clothing, and other items not listed above
• Dirty, infested, falling apart, or defaced items
• Moldy, mildewy, water-damaged, or smelly items

Will the Friends accept books that have "old book smell"?

"Old book smell" can indicate that mold or mildew has started to form. Over time, mold and mildew can weaken books, stain covers and pages, and cause health issues, especially for people with allergies or asthma. It can also affect the condition of other items in a collection.

Any donated items where the presence of mold or mildew is suspected will be discarded. If your books have been exposed to humidity long-term, such as being stored in a damp basement, garage, or uninsulated attic, please do not donate them to the Friends.

Not sure whether the Friends will accept something?

It's better to ask first than to donate something the Friends can't store or sell. Send us a message and we'll let you know if your items are something we accept.

What can I do with materials the Friends do not accept?

Local thrift stores may accept donations of items in good condition that do not meet our criteria.

Please hold on to personal belongings

Although we love getting books with $100 bills as bookmarks, we ask that you please remove money, photos, and other personal mementos from donations. It breaks our hearts to throw away photos or keepsakes when we are unable to identify the owners.