Where to Donate Books and Materials
The following branches all take book donations during library hours: Aurora Hills, Central Library, Cherrydale, Columbia Pike, Glen Carlyn, Shirlington, and Westover.
Receipts for your donations are available at each branch. See a librarian at the Circulation Desk.
We accept donations year-round to help stock our biannual four-day book sales.
For large donations, please come to our loading dock using the 10th street entrance from 10am -4pm Monday- Friday or 10am - 1pm on Saturdays. Press the buzzer on the door, and someone will be able to bring carts and assist you with your donation.
Other Materials We Accept
We will take used CD’s, DVD’s and sheet music. We also accept vinyl albums, journals, board games, maps, and children’s puzzles for our biannual book sales.
Biannual Book Sales
We hold two large book sales a year in the parking lot underneath Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy Street. The closest Metro stops are Ballston and Virginia Square on the Orange Line.
Members only night is always the Thursday night of the Book Sale and Sundays are always half price days. You can become a member on Thursday night at the sale!
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 same place where you check out books.
Volunteers
We have a group of volunteers called the “Donation Processing Team.” These tireless workers price our donated books for the biannual sales and stock the branch book stores.
Volunteers receive great perks! Sign up to volunteer.
Check out our FAQs page if you have other questions.