If you’re looking to reduce your collection of used books and reside in San Antonio, we got you!
This town boasts a fantastic nonprofit which supports local San Antonio schools, as well as a library friends bookstore and a trade/exchange shop: plenty of options.
San Antonio Youth Literacy
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 2527 Rim Oak, San Antonio, TX 78232
Hours: Contact to arrange a drop off time
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books (kindergarten-2nd grade)
Type of Books Not Accepted: Bilingual books, board books, religious books
Website: SAYL
How to Donate
San Antonio Youth Literacy recommend calling or emailing coordinator Deborah Valdez to arrange a time to drop off your books. She is at: deborah.valdez@sayl.org, or you can call her at (210) 422-9708.
Why We Love SAYL
This wonderful organization provides a third party service to a range of elementary schools in the San Antonio area, whereby they send a “reading buddy” to work one on one with children who are at risk of growing up illiterate. This kind of support is exactly what some kids need to put them on the path to becoming lifelong readers!
San Antonio Youth Literacy also have corporate opportunities for companies to volunteer as “reading buddies”, and their presence is really making a difference in their local community. Awesome!
BookCellar (Friends of the San Antonio Public Library)
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Central Library, 600 Soledad Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30-3:30
Type of Books Accepted: No preference, anything from children’s books to magazines
Website: SAPL Friends
How to Donate
Drop your books/journals/magazines etc. off at the Central Library. You may call (210) 227-9519 to schedule “curbside” assistance if you have a particularly large donation.
Why We Love the SAPL Friends
Donating to your local library friends is a great way to ensure library initiatives such as exhibits and events can be funded in future. The SAPL Friends sell their donated books for a small profit in the BookCellar book store. And, might I say, how cool does the San Antonio Public Library look!?
Nine Lives Books
Donation Type: Trade/exchange
Location: 7959 Fredericksburg Rd Ste 119, San Antonio, TX 78229
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 12-6pm
Type of Books Accepted: Anything worth purchasing; bring your books in for valuation
Website: Nine Lives Books
How to Donate
Nine Lives indeed has the ability to give your used books new life, and they are a good option if you think you have some titles or rare books you can exchange for store credit. Just bring your books in to be valued.
What a great and varied selection of places to donate books in San Antonio! I certainly hope this list has provided you with the inspiration you need to donate your books locally, and give a little something back to the city!
Be sure to check out our other Texas city guides when it comes to book donations: