Where to Donate Books and Materials
We accept donations year-round to stock our semi-annual book sales and our library book stores. Donations are accepted at Central Library and all open branches.
All donated books should be in sellable condition – clean, no highlighting, underlining, or writing in the margins.
We no longer accept or sell: CDs, DVDs, albums, sheet music, manuals, encyclopedias or textbooks.
At Central Library, donations can be placed on the blue bins as you enter the Library from the parking lot. Larger donations are accepted at the Central Library loading dock (near 10th Street) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please 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 branch Circulation desks.
In addition to books, other materials accepted for the semi-annual sales include:
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Blank journals
- Bookmarks
- Recent magazines (no older than 1 year)
- Unused greeting cards
- Unused postcards
Thank you for your support of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.
Semi-annual 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, Courthouse, Glencarlyn, 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 accepted at all branches.
Volunteers
We have a group of volunteers called the “Donation Processing Team.” These tireless workers process our donated books for the semi-annual sales and the branch book stores.
Volunteers receive great perks! Sign up to volunteer.
Check out our FAQs page if you have other questions.