Do Public Libraries Accept Book Donations?
Many people wonder if public libraries accept book donations. The answer is yes, yet the policies and practices can vary greatly depending on the location. Local libraries may have specific guidelines, such as the condition of the books, types of materials accepted, and donation limits. It's always a good idea to check your local library's website or contact them directly for their donation policies and any particular needs.
Community Involvement in Library Donations
In the communities where I live, book donations are welcomed. These donations are then carefully sorted based on need and condition. Some books are added to the library stacks, some are sold, and some are recycled. Additionally, when libraries cull their collections, they may sell books in excellent condition for a nominal price, such as $1.00 each.
Historical and Specific Donations
Libraries also have high standards for their collections. Generally, most libraries accept suitable books, but those with high standards may require books to be of historical significance. For instance, in 1812, the US Capitol Building, including the Library of Congress, was burned down, causing a significant loss of books. To replace these lost books, Thomas Jefferson donated his private collection to the Library of Congress, which was later used to rebuild the collection.
During my college years, I performed work-study in a campus library, and my first task was processing a donation from a private collection after the person's death. Many volumes were discarded, showing how selective libraries can be in accepting donations.
Type of Libraries and Donations
The interest in book donations can vary greatly depending on the type of library. A public library may not be interested in many academic books, especially on esoteric topics, while an academic library might say, 'no thanks' to a boxful of Harlequin romances. Certain materials are generally considered 'no thanks' for all libraries, such as National Geographic magazines, Reader's Digest Condensed Books, massive sets of legal codes, most old computer science texts, most old textbooks, and more.
Strategic Acceptance Guidelines
When it comes to accepting donations, many organizations and libraries, including myself in my service days, have established guidelines to ensure that the resources are useful and relevant. A crucial rule was to only accept books that were useful to our readers and dealt with subjects of interest. Academic staff on retirement often wanted to donate their personal collections, which were often old and already available in the library. Since shelf space is limited, these donations were politely refused. Instead, they were suggested to build up small departmental libraries, which worked effectively.
By following these guidelines, libraries can ensure that their collections remain up-to-date, relevant, and useful to the local community and their readers.