Where to Donate Books in Cleveland

Ever seen a Cuyahoga sunset? It’s beautiful. And so are these organizations on our list for those looking to donate books in Cleveland!

We’ve compiled a list of amazing organizations doing great work, in central Cleveland, as well as locations on the East and West sides. This list tells you all the up-to-date information, from where you can find them, their hours, and what’s accepted and what’s not.

Kids’ Book Bank

Donation Type: Drop off, Drop off in book bin
Warehouse Location: 3635 Perkins Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114
Hours: Tues-Fri 9-5
Book Bin Locations: For a full list of their outdoor collection bok bin locations, see here.
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books
Website: Kids’ Book Bank

How to Donate

You can help the organization by donating the books to their outdoor book bins, or by stocking Little Free Libraries. All you need to do is choose the most convenient book bin location from the above link, or any of the Libraries listed.

Why We Love the Kids’ Book Bank

The Kids’ Book Banks is a great organization that takes in book donations in Cleveland and distributes the books to in-need children to help them build their home library.

They are particularly unique as they make the act of sorting and organizing books a fun event that groups can take part in. This makes it a great day out kind of event for work away days, meet-ups, or anyone just looking to help.

To date, they’ve distributed over 4 million, yes, you read that right, 4 million books to children in Cleveland the surrounding areas. If you want to partake in one of their patented “book sorting” events, just get in touch with them!

A book drive proves fruitful for the Kids’ Book Bank (< credit)

Heights Library Friends (East Cleveland)

Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-5:30pm
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books, “coffee table” books, cooking books, fiction, arts books, textbooks no older than 2 years
Type of Books Not Accepted: Computer and technology books over 3 years old, books in poor condition
Website: Heights Library
Donation Receipt Available

How to Donate

You can drop off your books and DVDs to the FRIENDS Bookshop – but please call (216) 932-3600, ext 1234 first to arrange this. You can also email the bookshop at info@friendsheightslibraries.org. The Friends Bookshop is only located in the Lee Road branch and they encourage you to get in touch with them during the business hours listed above.

For a full wishlist of items that the organization does and doesn’t accept, click here.

Friends of the Lakewood Public Library (West Cleveland)

Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 15425 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10-11.30am; first Saturday of each month 9.30am-1pm
Type of Books Accepted: Their website doesn’t specify this, but try to ensure all books donated are not moldy/tattered, and in generally good condition.
Website: Lakewood Public Library

How to Donate

The Lakewood Library Friends run their book sales during the hours listed above. Just bring your books to drop off then. Sales from their book sales fund great initiatives in the Lakewood area such as films, free lectures, and the Lakewood Library van.

One of the Library Friends’ awesome book sales. Credit: Lakewood Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library

Donation Type: Drop off
Locations: To find your local branch, enter your zip code here
Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri-Sat 9am-5:30pm; Sun 1pm-5pm
Type of Books Not Accepted: Textbooks over 5 years old, most magazines apart from craft and gardening magazines, medical/health books over 8 years old
Website: Cuyahoga Library

How to Donate to the Cuyahoga Library

The library suggests that before donating, to contact your local branch to ensure that the books donated will be accepted.