At Local Book Donations, we strive to provide you with the easiest way to donate your books locally. And if you’re wondering where to donate used books in St. Louis, look no further.
There are several incredible nonprofits that promote literacy and a love of reading in St. Louis, as well as religious organizations, libraries, and more general places to donate to. Wherever you decide to donate to, you won’t have a hard time finding a local donation point near you.
Note: We prioritize organizations that dedicate time and resources to aiding literacy in their local communities.
Ready Readers
Donation Type: Drop off, Book drive (pick up from you)
Location: 10403 Baur Blvd., Suite H, St. Louis, MO 63132
Type of Books Accepted: Books for children ages 0-12
Type of Books Not Accepted: Activity books, coloring books, workbooks, religious books
Website: Ready Readers
How to Donate
This awesome organization requests that you email Angela Hess (angelahess@readyreaders.org) if you want to drop off books at their warehouse. If you’d like to go one step further and arrange your own book drive, they will also collect all the books you raise from you.
Why We Love Ready Readers
They send volunteers to classrooms all over St. Louis for special storytime readings. They also host a number of events outside the classroom with the goal of using literacy to help improve children’s lives. They understand the importance of reading. Over 10,000 children are read a story every week thanks to Ready Readers, wow!
Greater St. Louis Book Fair
Donation Type: Drop off in their book bins any time
Type of Books Not Accepted: Reader’s Digests, outdated books on law/teaching/encyclopedias, magazines
Donation Tax Receipt: Yes
Website: Donation guidelines here
How to Donate
They accept books of most types, so just drop your donations off in their book bins at the below locations.
Drop Off Locations:
- Clayton // 7800 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105
- Galleria // 1155 Galleria Pkwy, St. Louis, MO 63117
- West St. Louis County // 14001 Manchester Rd, Manchester, MO 63011
- South County // 12855 Tesson Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128
Why We Love the Greater St. Louis Book Fair
This organization will run their annual Book Fair May through July, and all profits from sales of donated books go back to non-profits in the Greater St. Louis area. The volunteers are passionate about giving books a new home and supporting literacy charities such as Ready Readers and Books for STL kids. Inspiring work, indeed!
St. Louis Public Library
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Type of Books Accepted: Local books about St. Louis, and local family history books
Donation Tax Receipt: Yes
Website: St. Louis Public Library
How to Donate
The library recommends calling them to arrange a time to drop your books off. You can call them on 314-539-0330.
Public Libraries are great places to give books to. Even though the requirements for this one are quite specific, they put their collection to good use for anyone in the community to access, including those who home school and need valuable resources.
Books for STL Kids
Donation Type: Monetary donation
Donation Tax Receipt: Yes
Website: Send a gift to them here
Why We Love Them
Although they don’t take physical book donations, Books for STL Kids awards grants to underfunded charitable groups to purchase books for the low-income communities they serve. They also host “The largest book party in St. Louis” each fall, where they directly provide new books to underprivileged youth.
The Jewish Community Center’s Used Book Sale
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
Hours: 10am-3pm, Mon-Fri
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, journals, encyclopedias, old textbooks
Website: JCCSTL
How to Donate
Just drop your books off during their opening hours above at the Staenberg Family Complex. The JCCSTL request you wear masks when you drop off. Proceeds from their Used Book Sale go to community events put on by the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis.
Dunaway Books
Donation Type: Sell
Location: 3111 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63118
Hours: Best to go on Saturday or Sunday
Type of Books Accepted: Rare books, collections, scholarly books
Website: Their info on book buying is here
How to Donate
Dunaway Books can be a good option if you’re looking to sell any books you think might be a little rare. The local bookstore recommends taking your books in on the weekend to be evaluated.
Most organizations above will be able to give you a donation receipt, but obviously Dunaway will exchange your books for cash only, if they’re worth something.
Other Organizations in St. Louis
- Goodwill // 10570 Baptist Church Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128
- Salvation Army (headquarters) // 1130 Hampton Ave
Search for their local branches nearer to you. Both will provide tax receipts for donations.
So, there are the best places to donate books in St. Louis. As you can see, there are a great choice of varied organizations that benefit local causes for you to give your books to. If you’re looking for other Missouri city book donation guides, where to donate books in Kansas City would be a good start!
I have 3 large boxes of books in Spanish. They are books at an adult or a young adult reading level. No kids books are included. Would you happen to know of a place that might like to receive books in Spanish? Many are popular authors and series that are relatively recent such as the Hunger Game series, self-help books, and popular authors such as Coehlo’s , the Alchemist and James Michner’s, The Pillars of the Earth, etc. All in good condition.
I’m sorry, but I don’t know. I would suggest reaching out to ready readers or the St. Louis book fair to see if they could assist you.
Thanks for this information, Tom. Noticed that the “South County” and “West County” addresses for the Drop Boxes are switched (Tesson Ferry is in South County, Manchester is in West County)
Changed now. Thanks so much for letting me know!