Where to Donate Books and Materials
Donations are currently being accepted again at Central Library and all open branches. Please limit your donations to TWO bags of books at a time. We are running out of space to process donations. We no longer accept: CDs DVDs, albums, sheet music, manuals, textbooks. All books should be in sellable condition. Thank you!
We accept donations year-round to help stock our biannual book sales. Please limit donations to 2 units (bags, boxes, etc) a day.
We will accept larger donations at Central Library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between the hours of 12:00pm – 4:00pm. Please bring your large donations to the Central loading dock. Ring the buzzer and someone will come to assist you.
Receipts for your donations are available from staff at the time of delivery and at all participating branch Circulation desks.
In addition to books, other materials accepted for the biannual sales include:
Board games
Puzzles
Blank Journals
Please do NOT donate CDs, DVDs, sheet music, newspapers, textbooks, computer/technology manuals, comic books (though graphic novels are VERY welcome!) - these items are not accepted at this time.
Biannual Book Sales
We normally hold two large book sales a year at Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy Street. The closest Metro stops are Ballston and Virginia Square on the Orange Line.
Volunteers are always needed for these sales. Sign up to volunteer.
Buying Books Throughout the Year
Aurora Hills, Central Library, Cherrydale, Columbia Pike, Glen Carlyn, Shirlington, and Westover all have book stores where you can purchase used books and magazines and support FOAL!
Payment for these books is made at the circulation desks.
Donations are only accepted at Central Library.
Volunteers
We have a group of volunteers called the “Donation Processing Team.” These tireless workers process our donated books for the biannual sales and the branch book stores.
Volunteers receive great perks! Sign up to volunteer.
Check out our FAQs page if you have other questions.