Getting rid of books isn’t always easy. There’s the book you loved, the one you keep telling yourself you’ll read someday, and the stack that’s been sitting on the shelf for years.
But books can take up surprising space, especially when they pile up over years. And while throwing them in the trash might seem like the easiest solution, there are plenty of better ways to get rid of books you no longer need.
Whether you want to make a little extra money, help someone else, or simply clear shelf space, here are nine ways to give your old books a new home.
1. Donate Them to a Thrift Store
Thrift stores like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and Savers often accept books that are in good condition. It’s one of the easiest ways to get rid of several books at once, especially if you’re cleaning out an entire bookshelf.
Just make sure the books are clean, have all their pages, and aren’t badly damaged. It’s also worth checking with your local thrift store before dropping off a large collection.
Related: The Most Underrated Thrift Store Section—And Almost No One Checks It
2. Sell Books That Are Still Worth Something
Before giving away your books, take a minute to see whether any are worth selling. Certain children’s books, textbooks, collectible editions, and popular titles can bring in a little extra cash.
Try eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or a local used bookstore like Half Price Books. Don’t expect every book to be worth much, but you might be surprised by what someone will pay for a particular title.
Related: Where to Sell Children’s Books After Your Kids Have Outgrown Them
3. Donate Them to Your Local Library
Your local library may be interested in taking some of those books off your hands. Many libraries collect donated books for fundraising sales, with the proceeds helping support library programs and services.
However, not every library accepts donations year-round, and some restrict what they’ll take. Give yours a quick call before loading up the car.
4. Drop Them Off at a Little Free Library
You’ve probably seen those small wooden boxes filled with books outside homes, parks, or community spaces. They’re called Little Free Libraries, and they’re a great way to share books with your neighbors.
Simply leave a few books that are in good condition for someone else to enjoy. You might even find something interesting to bring home, although that may defeat the purpose of decluttering.
5. Give Them Away Through a Buy Nothing Group
If you don’t want to drive to donation centers, post your books in a local Buy Nothing group or neighborhood Facebook group. You can offer them individually or give away an entire box to someone willing to pick them up.
This works especially well for children’s books, cookbooks, and popular fiction. It’s a simple way to get rid of books while keeping them in your community.
6. Host a Book Swap or Add Them to a Garage Sale
If you have friends or neighbors who love reading, consider organizing a small book swap. Everyone brings books they’ve finished and trades them for something new to read, with no cost.
You can also add books to your next garage sale. Price them reasonably or offer a bundle deal to encourage shoppers to take several at once.
Related: 17 Things That Sell Like Hotcakes at a Garage Sale
7. Donate Books to Organizations That Need Them
Organizations collect books for people who may not have easy access to reading materials. Programs like Operation Paperback send books to military members, while Prison Book Program and Books to Prisoners help provide books to incarcerated readers.
You can also check with local shelters, community centers, and literacy organizations. Review their donation guidelines first, since many accept only certain types of books.
8. Recycle Books That Are Too Damaged to Donate
Not every book is in good enough condition to donate or sell. If yours has missing pages, extensive water damage, or is falling apart, recycling may be the better option.
Check with your local recycling program to see whether it accepts hardcover and paperback books. Some facilities require you to remove hardcover bindings, and moldy or heavily contaminated books may not be recyclable.
9. Repurpose Books That Have Seen Better Days
If you have books too damaged to donate, consider reusing some pages before throwing them away. You can use old book pages for gift wrapping, paper crafts, collages, or other creative projects.
