Sometimes, the final chapter doesn’t have to be the end when it comes to books!
That’s no more so true than in and around Phoenix, where there are plenty of places to donate your gently used books.
Here, you’ll find comprehensive information such as where and when to donate, and which books are (and aren’t) accepted. We focus on organizations that dedicate time and resources to aiding literacy in their local communities, including Mesa, Gilbert and Tempe.
VNSA Books
Donation Types: Pick up from you, Drop off in book bin
Phoenix Book Bin Locations:
– 4242 E Greenway Rd (44th St & Greenway)
– 4224 N 44th St. (N of Indian School Road)
– 3420 E Shea Blvd. (SR-51 & Shea, NE corner) – parking lot on West side of building
– 2336 E Mulberry Dr. (24th St., south of Osborn)
– 5521 North 7th St. (7th St & Missouri, NE corner, to the right of Bashas)
– 3rd Ave. & Earll Drive, Phoenix (NE corner, in the parking lot on an island near 3rd Ave.)
Hours: 24/7 book bin drop off
Other Locations: Sun City, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gold Canyon and Goodyear locations can be found on their website
Type of Books Accepted: Paperbacks and hardbacks, encyclopedias post-2010 and pre-1950, maps,
Type of Books Not Accepted: National Geographics, textbooks, encyclopedias published between 1950 and 2010.
Website: VNSA Book Sale
How to Donate
Pick Ups: They can collect books from your home. Please fill out the donation pick up request form at the link to their website above (located about a third of the way down the page.)
Drop Offs in Book Bins: The VNSA has 13 convenient book bins located around the Phoenix area that are available 24/7.
Why We Love the VNSA
The VNSA provides financial resources to Maricopa County human service agencies, using the proceeds of their annual book sale to do so.
Originally founded as the Visiting Nurses Service Auxiliary, they began hosting their annual book sale way back in 1957! Being purchased by a hospital in the mid 80s didn’t stop them continuing their book sale, and they continue to provide financial support to great causes in Maricopa County to this day.
Kids Need to Read (Mesa)
Donation Types: Drop off, Mail in
Location: 2450 West Broadway Road, Suite 110, Mesa, Arizona 85202
Hours: Contact to arrange a drop off time
Type of Books Accepted: New or like-new children’s books
Website: Kids Need to Read
How to Donate
Email or call them to arrange a time to drop off your books: info@kidsneedtoread.org or 480-256-0115
If you’d like to mail your books in, you can send them to the below address:
Kids Need to Read
950 West Birchwood Ave, Suite 11
Mesa, Arizona 85210
Just remember, they ask that your children’s books be like-new, so please no torn pages or mildewy books!
Why We Love Kids Need to Read
The organization is a national one headquartered here in Mesa! They use their network of nonprofits to distribute books to low income neighborhoods, as well as provide literacy programs to act as support for struggling schools.
Founded in 2007, Kids Need to Read have earned national support from big publishers such as Penguin and Harper Collins, and they’re seriously passionate about reading.
Friends of the Phoenix Public Library
Donation Types: Drop off, Drop off in book bin, Pick up from you
Book Donation Warehouse: 1330 North 29th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Hours: 6am-12pm
24/7 Book Bins:
– Burton Barr Central Library (1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004)
– Century Library (1750 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016)
Type of Books Accepted: Any books or magazines for all ages in good condition
Website: Friends of the Phoenix Public Library
How to Donate
Every branch of the library will accept books that can be dropped off during library hours. You can find opening hours for each location on their website here.
The 24/7 book bins are located at the Burton Barr and Century libraries.
For very large donations of 15 boxes or more, the Friends will gladly collect your books from you. To arrange this, simply fill out the form located on their website at the link above.
How They Help
The Phoenix Library Friends will sell donated books on at a small profit, which is used to fund their great programs such as the summer reading program, Polar Express Storytime, and the Kids Café!
Friends of the Tempe Public Library
Donation Types: Drop off, Drop off in book bin
Friends Bookstore: 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9.30am-4pm; Sunday 12.30-3.30pm
24/7 Book Bin: South side of the Tempe Public Library, 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282
Type of Books Accepted: Fiction, nonfiction, classics, current magazines
Website: Tempe Friends
How to Donate
The Friends Bookstore accepts drop offs, and you can utilize the 24/7 book bins on the south side of the Tempe Public Library 24/7.
If you have larger donations, the Friends recommend contacting them to make arrangements.
Once Upon A Child (Gilbert)
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 5022 S. Power Rd, Ste.101, Gilbert, AZ 85212
Hours: 9am-8pm every day
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books
Website: Once Upon a Child
How to Donate
Bring your gently used children’s and baby books to their Gilbert, AZ location.
Mesa Historical Museum
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 2345 N Horne, Mesa, AZ 85203
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Website: Mesa Historical Museum
How to Donate
The Mesa Historical Museum hosts an annual book sale, as well as other book fairs throughout the year, such as their fall event, in the beautiful Mesa Historical Museum grounds.
You may want to contact them or see how to donate to each seasonal book sale, but you can be sure that proceeds will be put to maintaining the history of Mesa through the museum’s work.
Places to Donate Books in Phoenix; The Sparknotes:
- VNSA Book Sale
- Kids Need to Read
- Friends of the Phoenix Public Library
- Friends of the Tempe Public Library
- Once Upon a Child
- Mesa Historical Museum
Phoenix is a city known for its art, so it’s not overly surprising to see so many local nonprofits and stores helping to redistribute literature in the community. Books can help those less fortunate and the power of reading is certainly something that’s not taken lightly in the Phoenix area.
Cover image: VNSA Book Sale