Have you recently cleared out your cupboards and shelves and realized just how many books you’re keeping and not loving? If you’re from Houston and need to find a home for those old books, then this is the guide for you!
We’ve compiled a list of no fewer that ten organizations, many of which do great work in the Houston community, so you can donate books knowing you’ll directly be having an impact in your city.
Books Between Kids
Donation Type: Drop off, drop off in book bin
Primary Location: 9947 Harwin Dr. Suite B & C, Houston, TX 77036
Hours: Schedule a drop off here
Other Book Bin Locations:
Michael’s Cookie Jar (West University Location)
Palace Social (4191 Bellaire Blv., Suite 150, 77025)
Elizabeth Cole (9000 Hempstead Rd., Suite 266, 77008)
Website: Books Between Kids
How to Donate
Books they are accepting:
- Children’s story books
- Chapter books
- Spanish or dual language books
They cannot accept books that are:
- Yellowed or discolored
- Coloring books, sticker books, puzzle books
- Inappropriate for children
- Religious
- Filled with excess writing
Large amounts of books should be dropped off at the Books Between Kids warehouse. Please note, the warehouse is only open a few days a week so you should schedule the drop off in advance. They have book bin drop off locations at a number of local businesses in the Houston area (listed above.)
Why We Love Books Between Kids
Books Between Kids take a novel approach to book donations, encouraging children with more to donate to children with less. This makes the process of donating more special, and not just a throwaway process where grown-ups are giving away old books.
Started by elementary school teachers Amy and Sandra, the organization uses all donated books in their “free book fairs” as well as other programs, where under-served children are able to come along and choose 6 free books to take home and keep. A wonderful initiative!
Houston Public Library
Donation Type: Drop off
Primary Location: Book Warehouse, 6510 West Little York Road, Houston, Texas 77040
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Other Locations: See all their locations by searching for “Houston” on our Book Donation Map
Website: Houston Library Foundation
How to Donate
Drop your donation box (2 or less) to your nearest HPL branch. If you have larger donations, their primary book warehouse location will take them.
Houston Public Library accepts:
- Hard and paperback books in good condition
- School textbooks
- Antique and rare books
- CDs and DVDs
- Apple products
- Trade manuals
They do not accept:
- Law books
- Damaged books
- Magazines
- Encyclopedias from 2011 or older
Why We Love the Houston Library Foundation
Their “Community Reads” program awards 100 books each month to a local charitable organization. So, your donated books will go to fund library programs as well as be redistributed throughout the Houston community, putting books in the hands of children, and indeed adults, who may not have access to them otherwise.
Center for Hearing and Speech
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 3636 West Dallas, Houston, TX 77019
Website: Texas Hearing
How to Donate
All book donations can be delivered directly to the center’s librarian, Layne Mason at the address above. Donated children’s books will be used in their pediatric clinic or preschool centers.
If you’re feeling generous, each book that is featured on their Amazon wish list has been specifically selected to aid the needs of their students.
Star of Hope Mission
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 2320 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77003
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8am-6pm
Website: Star of Hope Mission
How to Donate
Stars of Hope are a more general charity that do great work for homeless people in the Houston area. They accept any book donations including bibles and religious material as well as more general books and children’s books via drop off at their primary donation warehouse (address above.)
Rotary Books for the World
Donation Type: Drop off (arrange first)
Location: Main St, Pasadena, TX 77506
Website: Rotary Books for the World
How to Donate
This is probably going to be a suitable option if you are a rotary club member, as it isn’t abundantly clear how you can drop off books.
However, this is a great cause from Houston area rotary clubs, that’s extended beyond Houston in recent years to other clubs around the USA. They work with rotary clubs in South Africa to send books to impoverished children there.
Charity Guild of Catholic Women Consignment Shop
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 1203 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-3pm
Website: Charity Guild of Catholic Women
How to Donate
Simply take any used books in good condition to their storefront on Lovett Boulevard. This organization provides items ranging from clothes to books for underprivileged children in the Houston area.
Stores Where You Can Trade/Exchange Books in Houston
The below would be good options if you have books you think may be valuable and you wish to get a little something in return for them:
- Kaboom Books (3116 Houston Av., Houston, TX 77009)
- Katy Budget Books (870 Mason Rd #101, Katy, TX 77450)
- The Book Attic (310 E Main St, Tomball, TX 77375)
Harbor Ministries
Donation Type: Pick up from you
Website: Harbor Ministries
How to Donate
A great way to donate books in Houston without having to leave your house! Harbor Ministries will pick up books from you in the central and greater Houston areas – just contact them to arrange a time.
Harbor Ministries offer free substance abuse rehabilitation programs and rely heavily on their thrift stores to fund their life-changing programs. This is a great way to help a noble cause that provides assistance to people who really need it.
Et voila! Hopefully this guide of the best places to donate books in Houston has encouraged you to donate the books that have been unloved gathering dust for all this time.