Book and Media Donations

Donations are now being accepted at both stores during their open hours. PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO ENSURE THAT SPACE IS AVAILABLE!
Central: Mon 12-4, Tues – Sat 10-4;   phone: 510-981-6211
Channing: Tues – Sat 10-4;   phone: 510-841-5604 

The Central Bookstore is CLOSED on all Library holidays. Holidays are listed on the Library website.

Your donation is welcome at either store when space is available. 

Channing:   Tues – Sat 10-4,  phone 510-841-5604 

Central:  Mon 12-4, Tues – Sat 10-4,  phone 510-981-6211

Please check that all donated materials are of GOOD QUALITY and in GOOD CONDITION. CDs, DVDs (NTSC format and Region 1) and LPs must be in their original cases/covers. With our limited space, we will have to turn away materials we cannot sell. Remember to call ahead to be sure there is space available to receive your donation: 510-841-5604.

First hour of parking is $1 in the Telegraph-Channing Garage, and we have hand trucks available for your use. We are grateful to our community for donations of quality items.

The Bookstores cheerfully accept:
  • Paperback and hardback books in good condition; children’s books in excellent condition.
  • Media in good condition: DVDs that are playable in the U.S. (NTSC format, Region 1), CDs, LPs.
  • Current textbooks (generally no more than 3-years old); if older, must be of collectible/vintage nature.
  • Maps, pamphlets, and other ephemera.
  • Clean paper shopping bags.
The Bookstores cannot accept:
  • Mildewed, moldy, smelly, water-damaged, or badly-worn items
  • Books with extensive underlining or torn-off covers
  • Children’s books in less than excellent condition
  • Outdated, tattered, textbooks over 3 years old, unless collectible/vintage
  • Computer, medical, legal, health, travel, or business books more than 3 years old
  • Magazines, catalogs or directories
  • Audiobooks on cassette, CD or tape
  • Encyclopedias, older dictionaries, Reader’s Digest Books, Advance Readers Copies, Time-Life Books, romances, or incomplete sets of older books
  • Computer software
  • Board games (Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, etc.)
  • Video tapes (VHS), music cassettes, or home-recorded media
  • Large donations of foreign language books (please call for details)
Just a reminder:
  • We run a used bookstore, selling used books at ridiculously low prices.
  • We are not running a thrift store or a recycling site.
  • We gratefully welcome donations of your re-sellable books.
Book donations:
  • Larger donations should be in bags or boxes.
  • We issue donation receipts for tax purposes at the time of delivery. Donors are responsible for placing a value on noncash goods.
  • If you need assistance, contact the store directly in advance of your visit: Channing Bookstore: 510-841-5604. Talk to a volunteer or leave a message.