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📚 Where to donate books in California

Books can go to thrift stores and to Friends of the Library groups, which sell them to raise money for the local library.

Before you go

56 places in California take books.

Los Angeles County 2

Los Angeles

Goodwill Southern California (stores and donation centers)

342 N. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031
  • clothing and accessories
  • small household appliances
  • furnishings
  • computers
  • books and media
  • china, art and collectibles
  • vehicles
Not accepted: see Goodwill donation guidelines poster
Website ↗
Los Angeles

Downtown Women's Center

442 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
  • large-size women's clothing (L-5X)
  • professional clothing
  • new or lightly worn shoes incl. wide sizes
  • bras
  • suitcases
  • tents and thick blankets
  • queen sheet sets
Not accepted: unscheduled drop-offs; tampons or menstrual cups; children's clothing and toys; makeup; worn-out or very high-heeled shoes; unwashed clothing
Website ↗

Orange County 1

Santa Ana

Assistance League of Santa Ana Thrift Shop

1028 W. 2nd Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  • gently used clothing
  • books
  • housewares
  • jewelry and collectibles
  • toys
  • linens
  • seasonal decor
Not accepted: baby gear (car seats, cribs, strollers, high chairs); electronics and large appliances; mattresses, box springs and bed pillows; food; paint, chemicals and batteries; sporting goods such as helmets and skates
Website ↗

San Diego County 5

San DiegoFree pickup

Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store & Auctions (Donation Warehouse)

815 33rd St., San Diego, CA 92102
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • furniture two people can carry
  • working small appliances
  • dishes, bedding, linens and decor
  • books, toys, games and media
  • electronics (data removed)
  • tools, bikes, camping gear and luggage
Not accepted: mattresses, box springs, beds and futons; cribs and car seats; doors, cabinets, sinks and toilets; carpet and padding; broken electronics and CRT TVs; stained or broken furniture
Pickup: Yes - free home pickup; call (619) 446-2100 or use the online form (items at entry level, boxed or bagged)
Website ↗
San DiegoFree pickup

Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store - Hillcrest

1457 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • household goods and decor
  • small furniture
  • books, toys and media
Not accepted: mattresses; cribs and car seats; broken items; hazardous materials
Pickup: Yes - free home pickup through Father Joe's Villages at (619) 446-2100
Website ↗
Chula VistaFree pickup

Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store - Chula Vista

405 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • household goods and decor
  • small furniture
  • books, toys and media
Not accepted: mattresses; cribs and car seats; broken items; hazardous materials
Pickup: Yes - free home pickup through Father Joe's Villages at (619) 446-2100
Website ↗
San DiegoFree pickup

Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store - Imperial Beach

1555 Palm Ave., Suite F, San Diego, CA 92154
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • household goods and decor
  • small furniture
  • books, toys and media
Not accepted: mattresses; cribs and car seats; broken items; hazardous materials
Pickup: Yes - free home pickup through Father Joe's Villages at (619) 446-2100
Website ↗
El CajonFree pickupCall to confirm

Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store - El Cajon

2325 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92020
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • household goods and decor
  • small furniture
  • books, toys and media
Not accepted: mattresses; cribs and car seats; broken items; hazardous materials
Pickup: Yes - free home pickup through Father Joe's Villages at (619) 446-2100
Website ↗

Santa Barbara & Santa Maria 1

Isla VistaFree pickup

Isla Vista Community Services District Donation Pick-Up

970 Embarcadero del Mar, Suite 101, Isla Vista, CA 93117
  • Clothing and shoes
  • Books and school supplies
  • Small furniture and appliances
  • Home decor and kitchenware
  • Unopened non-perishable food
  • Unopened toiletries
Pickup: Yes - free doorstep pickup in Isla Vista; schedule via the district's online form
Website ↗

San Luis Obispo & the Central Coast 5

San Luis ObispoCall to confirm

Goodwill Central Coast

  • clothing
  • accessories
  • small appliances
  • furniture
  • electronics
  • books
  • china
Website ↗
San Luis Obispo

Achievement House Thrift Store

3003 Cuesta College Road, San Luis Obispo, CA
  • clothing
  • shoes
  • linens
  • furniture
  • working TVs
  • kitchen items
  • sporting goods
Not accepted: large appliances; refrigerators and freezers; mattresses; e-waste
Pickup: Paid home pickup available ($50 fee)
San Luis ObispoCall to confirm

Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County Thrift Shop

  • art
  • books
  • clothing
  • shoes
  • linens
  • rugs
  • furniture
Not accepted: bedding; car seats; large appliances; electronics; mattresses; tools
Website ↗

Hanford & Lemoore 1

HanfordCall to confirm

Kings County Library (book donations for book sales)

  • books for the library's book sales

Fresno & Clovis 5

FresnoCall to confirm

The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center - Parallel Ave

710 S. Parallel Ave., Fresno, CA 93721
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • housewares and kitchenware
  • bedding and linens
  • small furniture
  • countertop appliances and small electronics
  • books, DVDs, CDs, video games
  • sporting goods and bicycles
Not accepted: mattresses and box springs; major appliances and refrigerators; building materials; damaged furniture; sectional sofas; infant products
Website ↗ 559-237-7758
Fresno

Mission Thrift (Fresno Mission) - Sierra

181 E. Sierra Ave., Fresno, CA 93710
  • clothing
  • books and media
  • household goods
  • electronics
  • vehicles (Fresno Mission Automotive Department)
Not accepted: mattresses and box springs; damaged furniture; building materials and cabinets; organs and pianos; blinds (unless metal); tires
Pickup: Pickup can be scheduled by phone or online at onlinedonationpickup.com/fresnomission
Website ↗ 559-440-0870
FresnoCall to confirm

Mission Thrift (Fresno Mission) - Bullard

6036 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93710
  • clothing
  • books and media
  • household goods
  • electronics
Not accepted: mattresses and box springs; damaged furniture; building materials; tires; paint and chemicals; car seats and cribs
Pickup: Pickup can be scheduled by calling 559-440-0870 or online
Website ↗ 559-894-9442

Stockton, Lodi & Tracy 2

Stockton

The Salvation Army Thrift Store - Stockton

1247 S. Wilson Way, Stockton, CA 95205
  • clothing, shoes and accessories
  • housewares and home decor
  • linens and blankets
  • small furniture
  • countertop appliances and small electronics
  • books, toys, tools
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: mattresses and box springs; major appliances; building materials; infant products; medical equipment; hazardous materials
Website ↗

Salinas, Monterey & Hollister 1

Salinas

Friends of the Salinas Public Library

  • books

Santa Cruz & Watsonville 1

San Mateo & the Peninsula 4

San Mateo

Goodwill - San Mateo

28 W. 25th Ave., San Mateo, CA
  • clothing
  • books and textbooks
  • small appliances
  • bicycles and sporting goods
  • computer and stereo equipment
  • CDs, DVDs and records
Not accepted: large furniture; encyclopedias and magazines
Redwood City

St. Francis Center

151 Buckingham Ave., Redwood City, CA
  • blankets, sheets and towels
  • small appliances
  • diapers and casual children's clothing
  • nonperishable food and fresh produce
  • children's books
  • small furniture
San Mateo

Turnstyle Thrift Store

60 North B St., San Mateo, CA
  • small appliances
  • baby supplies
  • books
  • small electronics
Not accepted: car seats; baby furniture; encyclopedias; TVs, computers and printers

San Francisco 2

San FranciscoFree pickup

Community Thrift Store

623 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
  • clothing and shoes
  • furniture in good condition
  • books
  • working CDs and DVDs
  • bicycles
Pickup: Yes - free pickup of large furniture in San Francisco by appointment, Sunday-Thursday
Website ↗
San Francisco

SCRAP (Scroungers' Center for Re-usable Art Parts)

141 Industrial Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
  • arts and crafts supplies
  • fabric and sewing notions
  • paper and office/school supplies
  • art and craft books
  • jewelry-making supplies
  • working musical instruments
  • craft-related tools
Not accepted: plastic or large toys and stuffed animals; binders and hanging file folders; used or non-craft paint; photographic equipment
Website ↗

Oakland, Fremont & Alameda County 7

Oakland

Goodwill - North Oakland

6624 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗
Oakland

Goodwill - Oakland MacArthur

3525 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗
Berkeley

Goodwill - Berkeley

2058 University Ave, Berkeley, CA
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗
Albany

Goodwill - Albany

505 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗
Alameda

Goodwill - Alameda

2319 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗
Hayward

Goodwill - Hayward

21994 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA
  • clothing, shoes and linens
  • children's and maternity clothing
  • working small electronics and small appliances
  • housewares
  • books
  • toys and games
  • bicycles and sporting goods
Not accepted: pet food; medicine; non-working items
Website ↗

Contra Costa & Walnut Creek 7

Danville

Hospice Thrift Shoppe - Danville

444 Diablo Rd., Danville, CA 94526
  • clothing incl. children's
  • shoes
  • books
  • furniture
  • housewares
  • small appliances
  • linens and towels
Not accepted: items not in good, working condition
Website ↗

Marin County 2

Novato

The Book Place (Marin County Free Library Friends bookstore)

1608 Grant Ave, Novato, CA
  • gently used books
  • DVDs and CDs (one box limit)
  • puzzles
  • sheet music
Not accepted: worn, moldy, stained or smoke-smelling books; textbooks and manuals; encyclopedias (unless pre-1940 complete); Reader's Digest Condensed Books; magazines over two years old; vinyl records, cassettes, VHS
Website ↗ 415-209-0212

Napa Valley 2

Napa

Community Projects Thrift Shop

715 Franklin St, Napa, CA 94559
  • clothing for all ages
  • housewares
  • linens
  • lamps
  • rugs
  • jewelry and purses
  • toys
Not accepted: mattresses and bed frames; cribs, car seats and baby gear; large appliances; TVs and monitors; older computers and printers; exercise equipment and helmets
Website ↗ 707-226-7585
NapaCall to confirm

Napa Friends of the Library

580 Coombs St, Napa, CA
  • books
  • DVDs
  • music CDs
Not accepted: old encyclopedia sets; VHS tapes; magazines; wet books
Website ↗

Vallejo, Fairfield & Vacaville 5

Sacramento & Elk Grove 1

Sacramento

Sacramento Public Library (Friends of the Library book donations)

  • books in good condition
  • magazines
  • other media
Not accepted: torn, yellowed or brittle books; dirty or dusty items; water-damaged or mildewed items; heavily highlighted books; scratched media
Website ↗ 916-731-8493

Grass Valley, Truckee & Sierra County 1

Truckee

Hospice Gift & Thrift

10338 River Park Place, Truckee, CA
  • clothing
  • household items
  • books
  • videos
  • small working appliances
  • housewares
  • furniture in good condition (on approval)
Not accepted: mattresses and bed frames; pillows and mattress pads; exercise equipment; hard-wired electrical fixtures; paint and building supplies; baby and children's items incl. car seats and strollers
Website ↗

Ukiah, Fort Bragg & Clear Lake 1

Fort BraggFree pickup

Friends of the Fort Bragg Library - book donations

  • children's books
  • hardcover fiction and nonfiction
  • paperbacks
  • collectible books
  • complete DVD/Blu-ray sets with case art
  • unabridged audiobooks on CD
Not accepted: moldy, dirty or water-damaged books; sticky cookbooks; Reader's Digest Condensed / Time-Life type books; music CDs; periodicals; textbooks
Pickup: Yes - free pickup for large donations (more than 4 boxes); email ffblnews@gmail.com
Website ↗