The Power of Donated Books

What do we take?

We welcome any sellable book in good condition. This includes fiction, nonfiction, craft books, cookbooks, children’s books, and more! We also accept LPs in good playable condition.

What don’t we take?

There are certain types of books that simply have seen their time come and go and, unfortunately, no longer possess the capability to help us achieve our mission, such as encyclopedias, older textbooks, magazines, VHS tapes or books on cassette.

Donations from schools: We do not accept books with library stickers and markings from K-12 schools.

Tax Deductible: We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so all donations are fully tax deductible. Looking for a receipt for your donation, click here.

Publishers, Stores, or other Partnership Book Donations? Please contact Chris Salmon at [email protected] to get the ball rolling.

Want to Buy New Kids Books for Our Programs? Check out our Gift of Books offering for purchasing new books for Book Grants and North Lawndale Reads.

Where to Donate Books

Store locations: 

West Loop – 651 W Lake, Chicago, IL 60661

Donate Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-6pm and Friday-Sunday, 10:30am-6pm. No more than four boxes per donation at this location, please.

Pilsen – 905 W. 19th St., Chicago, IL 60608

Drop slot in front of building available 24 hours a day. Larger donations accepted during store hours, Tuesday-Sunday at 10am-6pm.

If you have more than 15 boxes to donate, please call ahead at 312-243-9776.

North Lawndale – 3812 W 16th St, Chicago, IL 60623

Donate 2 boxes or up to 100 books Tuesday 3-6pm, Wednesday 9-12pm, Thursday 3-5pm, and Saturday 11-3pm.

Drop Bin Locations: 

These locations can only accommodate 50 loose books at a time. Please do not bring boxes of books to these locations. And please, no dumping outside the bins. They are not intended for large donations. Request a pickup below if you have more than 50 books to donate and can’t bring them to an above store location.

West Loop – 645 W Couch Pl., Chicago, IL 60661 Right off Desplaines between Randolph and Lake St., behind our West Loop store.

Lakeview – The Nettlehorst Schoool, 3252 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Oak Park – Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301. Access the alley by driving south on the 100 block of North Grove Avenue until you reach the cul-de-sac, then turn west (right).

Active Book Drive Locations

Wintrust Bank, 2300 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625