If you’ve had a clean out and are looking to donate books locally, we’ve listed everywhere in Erie that will take your books. From the county library, to local charities that help the local homeless community, you can be sure your book donations will be going to a good cause if you choose to donate to these organizations.
Friends of the Erie County Public Library @ Bayfront Bookshelf
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Blasco Memorial Library: 160 E Front Street, Erie, PA 16507
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9-8.30; Fri-Sat 9-5; Sun 1-5
Type of Books Accepted: Books in good (used) condition, CDs, DVDs
Type of Books Not Accepted: Encyclopedias, magazines, textbooks, law/medicine/computer books older than 5 years
Website: Erie Library Friends
How to Donate
Bring your books to the Bayfront Bookshelf, the library friends’ bookstore which is located in the lobby of the Blasco Memorial Library at the above address.
The library friends recommend bringing one bag or box, so as not to flood them with hundreds and thousands of books. The bookshelf sells the books on and all profits go to the Erie County Libraries.
Green Scene Thrift Store
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 1301 E. Grandview Boulevard in Erie, PA.
Opening Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 12-6; Saturday 10-3
Type of Books Not Accepted: Textbooks or encyclopedias
Donation Tax Receipt: Yes
Website: Green Scene Thrift
How to Donate
Green Scene Thrift’s aim is to keep as many items out of the landfills as possible, and promotes reuse. Any items they can’t resell are donated to nonprofits. They’re therefore a great place with a noble cause to donate any used books.
Drop in during their opening hours and they’ll give you a tax receipt for any books you donate.
Erie City Mission
Donation Type: Pick up from you, Drop off
Location: 2064 W 15th St, Erie, PA 16505
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5
Donation Tax Receipt: No
Website: Erie City Mission
How to Donate
The Erie City Mission is a great option if you’re pushed for time as you can schedule a pick up time on their website. You may want to confirm what type of books they accept with them before, as they have books in their resell stores but don’t specifically list what type on their site. This is another highly rated local organization working with the homeless in the Erie community.
Werner’s Books Exchange Program
Donation Type: Credit
Location: 3514 Liberty St. Liberty Plaza, Erie, PA 16508
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5.30; Sat-Sun 11-4
Type of Books Accepted: All types including recent textbooks
Donation Tax Receipt: No
Website: Werner Books
How to Donate
Werner Books is a great place to donate books in Erie if you’re a bookworm yourself, as you’ll get a store credit for each book you bring in that they’ll value via their book exchange program. They’ve also partnered with a textbook program and they will pay you for recent textbooks (1-2 years old.) Support your local independent bookstore and earn some store credit!
Other Organizations in Erie
- Salvation Army Thrift Store // 1209 Sassafras St, Erie, PA 16501
- Rainbow Connection Thrift Store // 1516 Buffalo Rd, Erie, PA 16510