Donate Books

Our work wouldn’t be possible without book donations! However, there are certain kinds of books we always need and others we don’t. Before you donate, please check the guidelines below.

Please contact us before donating!

Our needs are always changing and our storage space is limited. Contact us at donations@booksthroughbars.org before donating to ensure that your donation fits our current needs and to arrange a convenient donation time.

In your email or phone call, please specify in writing (not pictures, please):

  • How many books (approximately) you intend to donate

  • The condition of the books and whether they are hardcover or paperback

  • The subject matter/genre of the books

Donating books from our Bookshop.org wishlist

All titles on our Bookshop.org wishlist are in demand all the time! If you want to purchase books from our wishlist, they can be shipped to us at 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143. And by ordering from Bookshop.org, you will be supporting small booksellers. Thank you!

READ THIS BEFORE DONATING

  • We are now accepting book drives on a limited basis! Please thoroughly review the guidelines below and confirm with us via email in advance. Large donations take a lot of time, energy, and space to sort, shelve, and store!

  • We accept books only in new, good condition, or lightly used. Please do not donate a book to us that you would not gift to a loved one.

  • We do not accept hardcover books. Many prisons do not accept them and they are expensive to mail.

  • Please review the topics we currently need (listed below). Other than the topics listed below, we will accept books on a case-by-case basis.

  • Please donate books in a box or bag that you do not need returned to you.

“What kind of books do we need most right now?” (last updated 4/15/24)

BOOKS WE NEED Right Now

  • Genre fiction: Mystery / Western / Urban “Hood Books” / Mafia / Spy / Erotica

  • Manga

  • Coloring

  • Paganism

  • Mythology

  • GED test prep

  • Beginner Spanish

  • Books in Spanish

  • History (Especially Black/African!)

  • Archaeology

  • Daily / Weekly planner

  • Art books with full page images

  • Urban fiction AKA “hood books”

  • Math: algebra / geometry / calculus

  • Art instruction: drawing / painting / tattooing

  • Business: investing / stocks / grant writing / how to start a business / marketing / management

  • Barbering / hairdressing for ALL hair types

  • Fill-in puzzles: word search / crossword / sudoku

  • LGBTQIA+: books for gay men / transgender resources

  • Wicca / occult / vampire / werewolf / demons / ghosts

  • How-to-play: guitar (tabs) / song books / beginner AND advanced

  • Role playing game guides: Pathfinder / Warhammer / Dungeons&Dragons

  • Equipment free exercise (emphasis on building muscle NOT weight loss)

  • Computers: basic use / web development / programming / how to build (less than 5 years old please!)

  • Learning Arabic / Hebrew / Sign Language / Chinese / Japanese / Russian / Korean

  • Vocational: automotive / HVAC / CDL exam & trucking / plumbing / welding / small motor repair

  • Conspiracy theories / secret societies: Illuminati / Freemasons / the Knights Templar / 5%ers / aliens / UFOs

  • Music bio / history / mags: hip-hop / metal / rock n roll

  • Science: biology / chemistry / physics / theory / astronomy / geology

  • Wrestling / boxing / martial arts / American football

  • Camping / RV / boating

  • PDR “Physician’s Desk Reference” OR “pill book” / reference on medical conditions

  • Chakras / astrology / tarot / crystals / palmistry

 BOOKS WE don’t NEED

  • Hardcover books

  • Computer / law / investing / resource guides older than 5 years

  • Books on secular subjects with religious tone / content

  • Piles and piles of general fiction (non specific genre)

  • Books advocating sexism, homophobia, or white supremacy

  • Books with notes / underlining / mold / stains

  • Heavily warped / worn / torn / yellowed books

BOOKS WE Have more than enough of right now

  • Christianity / Islam / Judaism

  • Thriller / Sci - Fi / Fantasy (WOW!)

  • Plays

  • Poetry

  • Children’s and young adult

  • General fiction (non-genre fiction)

  • LSAT / SAT / GRE test prep

  • Books specifically for women

  • Parenting

  • Politics

  • Academic writing / journals

BOOKS WE could use more of

  • Yoga

  • Self-help

  • True crime

  • Hinduism / Taoism

  • National Geographic

  • Crochet / origami / card making

  • Vocational: house construction / electrical

  • General addiction self-help (not specific to AA or NA, etc.)

  • African / Latin American / Indigenous religion/spirituality

  • Cars / motorcycles / trucks / big rigs / trains / boats

  • Celebrity biography / magazines

  • Collectibles / gemology

  • Law: criminal / civil procedure / rules of court / case law

    (less than 5 years old please!)