If you’re looking to help your books turn the page on a fresh start in Charleston, we’ve listed plenty of deserving nonprofits and community programs that would love to take them off your hands!
Please see the below information for each organization, as some have specific criteria for donating, such as which types of books are accepted, and how to drop them off.
LowCountry Orphan Relief
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 1850 Truxtun Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Type of Books Accepted: Books for children ages 0-18
Website: LowCountry Orphan Relief
How to Donate
Simply bring your boxed or bagged books to their headquarters on weekdays.
LowCountry Orphan Relief puts together wonderful ‘care kits’ for the children they work with, including things such as toiletries, school supplies, and of course… books! This is a fantastic way to pass books along to local children and foster a love of reading.
Charleston Friends of the Library
Donation Types: Drop off, Drop off in book bin
Main Library Location: 68 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Hours: 10am-2pm Monday-Friday if assistance is needed
Other Locations: Local branches may take donations. Check with your local branch as this can vary
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, sheet music, textbooks
Website: Charleston Library Friends
How to Donate
The book bin is located behind the main library at the loading dock, and you can drop your books off there at any time. If you need assistance, their volunteers work there during the above hours.
The Library Friends aren’t too picky, so barring the books listed as ‘not accepted’ above, this is a great option for finding a home for a wide variety of your gently used books.
Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center
Donation Type: Drop off
Downtown Location: 1061 King Street, Charleston SC 29403
Mount Pleasant Location: 677 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books, baby books
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines
Website: Dee Norton Center
How to Donate
This nonprofit will gladly take small portions of kids’ books off your hands. They use the books in their lobby to comfort children and families, as per their statement below:
“We strive to make sure children and families feel at ease when they walk through our front door. Sometimes having something like a book to read or game to play helps put the mind at ease.”
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Donation Types: Drop off, Pick up from you
Drop Off Location: 731 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, 29403
Type of Books Accepted: Any books in good condition
Website: Charleston Habitat ReStore
How to Donate
Pick up details: Habitat for Humanity Charleston partners with a local veteran-owned pick up service, which operates Tuesday through Friday. To schedule a pick up, they advise completing the online request form or calling (843) 203 4026.
The pick up service is a great, convenient option if you have a lot of books to donate!
Animal Helpers ReTAIL Store
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 1601 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407
Hours: Monday-Friday 1-am-6pm; Saturday 10am-5pm
Type of Books Accepted: Recently published hardcover books, antique or collectible books
Type of Books Not Accepted: Children’s books
Website: Animal Helpers Retail
How to Donate
If you have any antique or collectible books, this store is glad to accept them, as well as relevant/new hardcover books.
All proceeds of the books sold at the “ReTail” store go to helping those who work with animals in the SC area; a great cause!
Cover image: Charleston Public Library by MrTinMD