Seattle isn’t a city short of places to donate your used books!
These organizations give you a variety of options in terms of location and types of book accepted, so read on to find where to easily donate books in Seattle.
Treehouse
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 2100 24th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144
Hours: Tue-Fri 10am-3pm
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books, baby books
Website: Treehouse for Kids
How to Donate to Treehouse
They ask that you pull around the back of the building at the above address, and follow the donation signs. Appointments for donations can be made outside of their regular hours. To make one, email store@treehouseforkids.org
Treehouse supports children in foster care with a unique approach to education and promoting reading is a big part of this. They genuinely care about helping foster kids get a better education, and are a great cause to donate to in Seattle.
Kidvantage NW
Donation Type: Drop off
Seattle Location: 17230 12th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
West Sound Location: 1463 NE Dawn Road, Suite B, Bremerton, WA 98310
Issaquah Location: 1510 N.W. Maple St., Issaquah, WA 98027
Type of Books Accepted: Baby books, children’s books
Website: Kidvantage
How to Donate to Kidvantage
While most locations offer all week donations, see this page for each location’s opening hours.
Donations will be used to populate the Kidvantage network of early learning centers. The nonprofit funds local school districts, food banks, early learning centers and more with the mission of giving children from low-income backgrounds a “healthy start in life.”
Books to Prisoners @ Left Bank Books
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Left Bank Books, 92 Pike St # B, Seattle, WA 98101
Type of Books Accepted: Paperbacks, National Geographics, history books, self-help books, magic/occult, business books, blank journals, graphic novels and comic books, mass-market fiction i.e. romance, short stories, sports books, tabletop playing guides, cookbooks, true crime, thesauri, dictionaries
Type of Books Not Accepted: Politics/current affairs books that are outdated, nothing pertaining to alcohol or drugs, violence, or hypnosis
Website: Books to Prisoners
How to Donate to Books to Prisoners
This organization gets books in the hands of incarcerated men and women throughout Washington. Understandingly, they have very stringent guidelines on what can and can’t be donated.
They will mostly want all books to be paperback, however, they do accept hardcover non-fiction books.
The fact they also take National Geographics makes them unique, as most libraries and literacy nonprofits won’t accept these types of books.
Friends of Seattle Public Library
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Central Library, 1000 4th Ave Level 3, Seattle, WA 98104
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, appointments for over 15 books
Type of Books Accepted: Adult and children’s books, cookbooks, recent textbooks, paperbacks and hardcovers
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, encyclopedias
Website: Friends of SPL
How to Donate to the Library Friends
The FriendShop, located at the Central Library, accepts donations of 15 or fewer books during the above hours.
Book an appointment if you have up to 80 books to donate on their website. They have a calendar that makes booking easy.
Supporting your local public library’s used book sales is a great way to ensure your books stay in the local community, and this important pillar of society can continue to provide free community programs and events.
Bellevue Friends of the Library Corner Book Shop
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Bellevue Public Library, 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 12-3pm
Type of Books Accepted: Adult and children’s books, fiction and non-fiction in all categories, cookbooks, graphic novels, paperbacks and hardcovers, vintage and rare books
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, encyclopedias
Website: Corner Book Shop
How to Donate to the Library Friends
Those that find themselves in Bellevue and not wanting to cross the lake can drop their books off at the local library corner book shop from 12-3pm. If you have any questions about which books may or not be acceptable, don’t hesitate to call Catherine: 425-450-2446
The money raised from book sales supports both additional library programs in King County and scholarships at the University of Washington Information School. Their inventory is entirely composed of donations from the public.
Donate Books Seattle
Donation Type: Pick up from you
Hours: Call to arrange a pick up time
Type of Books Accepted: Anything
Website: Donate Books Seattle
How to Donate to Donate Books Seattle
The aptly named Donate Books Seattle website is not rife with information, but they do offer a pick up service which can be very useful if you’re pressed for time.
Call them at 360 919-1563 to schedule a time.
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
Donation Type: Drop off
Primary Location: 8226 South 208th Street, Kent, WA 98032
Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm
Type of Books Accepted: Any gently used books in good condition
Website: Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
How to Donate to Union Gospel Mission
This definitely isn’t a book-specific cause, but the Union Gospel Mission does accept books, and any sort of reading material would be gratefully received from the homeless people who these shelters help.
Places to Trade/Exchange Books
- Ophelia’s Books, 3504 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
- Pegasus Book Exchange, 553 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
- Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
- Twice Sold Tales, 1833 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Seattle is rife with used bookstores that will accept your books for a store credit or some cash in hand, so I thought I’d include these four stores above.
Places to Donate Children’s Books in Seattle
There are a host of organizations and libraries that will accept gently used (read: good condition) children’s books in Seattle! Click on the name of the organization below to be taken to their listing above, with their opening hours and all other pertinent information.
Where to Donate Graphic Novels in Seattle
I have confirmed that Bellevue Corner Book Store is very accepting of graphic novels! They aren’t the mostly widely accepted type of book for donations, so knowing this can be a big help if you’re looking to clear out some manga and old comic books. Just make sure they’re in good nick!
We all know Seattle is well known for being the home of grunge, but with 11 different places to donate books, it also ranks as one of the highest cities in terms of individual organizations that accept book donations! Pretty cool, right?
Whatever types of books you’re looking to clear out, we hope this guide has served you well, and hope you “rock on” to your chosen organization.
Wonderful info and thanks for coming up with a place that takes the National Geographic mags!
Thanks for the kind words!
Hi,
I have many graduate level geology science books that my father (a university of Washington professor) had in his collection. I want to know where i could take them in Seattle to see if anyone who want them. Can you direct me to someone?
Hey Julie. Textbooks are notoriously difficult to donate. I would try ‘Donate Books Seattle’ as they take anything, but I believe they will try and sell them on. If you want to look further afield, Better World Books may have use for them, or prison book programs. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance.
I’ve emailed you a few times about this. Will try you again now – Bill
I have 4 large bagfuls of children’s books! I would like to donate directly to an organization that distributes them to children directly in some way. In the greater Seattle area. Do not want them to be resold. Thank you for your help!
Treehouse/Kidvantage on this list, reach out to them if you need assistance. Happy donating!
Hello, I’m weeding a school library in Edmonds and have bout 10 boxes of books to donate. Any suggestions? Thank you.