Most of our branches accept donations of used books, music, and VHS or DVD videos. Materials must be in very good to excellent condition. We cannot accept magazines, out-of-date textbooks,
or dirty, mildewed, smoky, damaged, or torn materials.
At times, branches cannot accept donations due to space limitation or other issues. Please contact your local
branch before bringing boxes of donations.
Bring donations into the
library building to the check-out desk. They should not be deposited in bookdrops or left outside the building.
To get a receipt for tax purposes, please let us know how many and what types of items you have donated. The library will verify the number
but will not place a value on donated materials.
Most donated items go to the Friends of the Library book sales. If you are donating items with the specific goal of having them included in the library's collection, please see Information for Authors and Others Submitting Work for Consideration. See also the policy about gifts in MCPL's Collection Development Policy.
Many branches always have a few shelves of donated used books for sale. These include:
All Montgomery County Public Library book sales are sponsored by the Friends
of the Library, Montgomery County, MD. Proceeds support the libraries and our programming.
The Friends
of the Library also sells used books and other materials at its bookstores in Wheaton, Rockville, and Gaithersburg. Books that have been deaccessioned from the library collection go to these bookstores to be sold, and the bookstores accept donations. Read their donation policies.
The following are among other local groups
accepting used book donations and sponsoring sales.
Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, 202-223-5796
Accepts books in good condition, stamps, coins. No magazines, textbooks, or encyclopedias. Pick-up service only, NO drop off.
Bryn Mawr Lantern Bookshop, 202-333-3222
Accepts books, records, audiocassettes, videocassettes. No textbooks or magazines.
Davis Memorial Goodwill Industries, 202-636-4225
Books of all kinds and some kinds of magazines may be left at local Goodwill drop-off sites.
Montgomery County Historical Society, 301-762-1492
No textbooks, Reader's Digest condensed books or magazines. Limited pick-up service.
Salvation Army, 202-783-0233
Accepts books and educational magazines. Drop off at thrift stores or call for pick-up.
Stone Ridge School Book Barn, 301-657-4322
Accepts books, records, audio/videocassettes, sheet music. No textbooks over 5 years old.
Drop off 24 hours a day or call for pick-up service.
Support Center, Inc., 301-738-2250
Accepts hardcover and large-print books and recent popular magazines of interest to seniors.
Vassar Club of Washington, 301-299-4855
Accepts books, records, tapes, sheet music, art. No textbooks over 5 years old, no magazines.
Pick-up service.
& FAQ
