While it’s true that everything is a bit bigger in Texas, we’re guessing you’re here because you’re looking to make your book collection a little smaller?
This town boasts a fantastic nonprofit which runs literacy initiatives for kids in El Paso, as well as a number of bookstores and book drops that benefit local libraries.
Books are Gems
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 7744 North Loop, Suite B, El Paso, Texas 79915
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-4pm
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books
Website: Books are Gems
How to Donate
Drop your gently used children’s books at Books are Gems at the above address during their hours of business. They can help you unload if you have several large bags or boxes of books.
Books are Gems also encourage you to host book drives and can provide you with support to do so. This is ideal for businesses, scout/brownie troops, or schools to take part in!
Why We Love Books are Gems
Firstly, they’re just a great nonprofit that helps the El Paso community – they’ve donated over 1.5m books since their inception!
Secondly, they were born from a heartbreaking loss. Book lover Gracie Elizabeth Madriles died in a car accident, and her mother Paula gave her legacy a real meaning by founding Books are Gems in honor of Gracie, with the vision of helping to improve the lives of children in poverty through reading.
The opening of the poem on their website reads:
Gracie is an angel who lives in these books,
Challenging children to look, look, look
We are honored to share the stories of these kinds of organizations at Local Book Donations.
Friends of the Cielo Vista Library
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 3025 McRae Blvd., 779-6916
Hours: Wed, Thur, Sat 10am-4pm
Type of Books Accepted: Virtually all books in good condition
Website: Facebook Page
How to Donate
Just drop into the Friends of the Jose Cisneros Cielo Vista Library Bookstore during their opening hours above.
Why We Love the Cielo Vista Library Bookstore
They’ll take most any type/genre of book! On their Facebook page they talk about selling a variety of books from cookbooks to true crime and sci-fi! And all profits will go to the library.
Texas has no shortage of library associations and nonprofits looking to take book donations all over the lone star state! Read our guide on Houston book donations to discover even more amazing organizations.
The Bookmark
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 7348 Remcon Circle, El Paso, TX 79912
Hours: Wed & Fri 3-7pm; Thu & Sat 9am-3pm
Type of Books Accepted: All books in good condition
Facebook: The Bookmark
How to Donate
The Bookmark is a wonderful store created by the Friends of the Westside Branch Libraries. They’ll be happy to take any books in good condition during opening hours, and all profits fund the library system.
El Paso Public Library Book Bins
Donation Type: Drop off, drop off in book bin
Location: Various, keep an eye on their Facebook page for dates and locations
Type of Books Accepted: Any books as new as possible
Website: Facebook Page
How to Donate
The El Paso Public Library does not take donations at their library locations as far as I can tell (odd, I know!) Instead, they will host ‘book drop offs’ at various locations around the city such as at Chick fil-A or Cane’s. They encourage you to drop off a new or near-new book and in exchange you’ll receive a free meal/drink depending on the promotion.
The best way to keep an eye out for where their next book drop off will be is to follow their Facebook page I posted above.
So, you have plenty of options in El Paso that encompass any type of book that you no longer want taking up space on your shelves!