What we accept

  • Paperback and hardcover fiction and nonfiction books. Consult our home page to see the list of genres we carry and accept for donation.

    We are always looking for popular and perennial titles in good condition.

  • We accept books in all languages.

  • Books and music on CD

  • DVD and Blu-ray

  • Jigsaw puzzles with no missing pieces.

  • We have volunteers experienced with rare and collectible books, and we thoroughly examine all donated materials to identify valuable and exceptional items. We accept books written before 1940, textbooks dating between 1920s -1980), and very good condition vintage magazines (e.g. Life).

  • Magazines, professional journals, or VHS tapes.

  • Torn, dirty, liquid damaged, mildewed or otherwise damaged books.

  • Books that are highlighted, annotated or underlined.

  • Sets of encyclopedias (except Britannica from 1911, which we will take).

  • Textbooks over 5 years old

We cannot accept

Where to Donate

  • In Store

    • We are able to accept donations of 1 to 3 bags or banker’s size boxes between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

    • PLEASE call the store (415-453-1443) before you come in to ask if we are accepting donations that day. There are times when we are not accepting donations and you may be asked to drop your items off another time if we are out of storage space for newly donated materials.

  • At the Library Annex (located in the red trailer by the downtown library’s E Street entrance)

    • Volunteers are typically at the Annex each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 and 12:00.

    • You can also schedule an appointment for a convenient time by calling Pam at 415-302-4121 (if there is no answer be sure to leave a message with your name, number, and description of what you have to donate).

Please DO NOT leave donations outside our store or the annex during non-business hours!!

Donations to the Community

We also give books and media away to other community organizations. Donations that cannot be sold in store but that are in good enough condition for someone else to enjoy are provided to the following organizations.