While we have not checked these organizations and schools, and cannot vouch for their honesty in getting the books where they say they will, we nevertheless believe that they are good. Though this list is updated periodically to weed out any potential problem places and add quality new ones that come to our attention, please do any further research that will net you the information you want before donating.
Please help us to help them: If you know of any schools or other organizations seeking donations, let us know about them. We will be happy to include them on this page. Send their name and contact information to
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African Library Project
Their goal is to increase literacy in Africa by creating and improving small libraries. So far they have completed 36 libraries in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Cameron, Lesotho and Nigeria; opened co-operative ‘100 libraries’ in Botswana; created 30 partnerships; and donated 21,000 books—all on a volunteer basis. Schools in Africa are matched with U.S.-based schools and organizations that agree to hold a book drive to collect gently used books, and that school or organization agrees to cover the cost of shipping. You can help by organizing a book drive, donating books or contributing money (100% of which goes to purchase books and cover shipping).
American Library Association
This is a site with information and links to finding libraries in your area needing books as well as organizations that accept book or money donations.
Book Aid International
A British organization, they put books into the hands of the world’s most disadvantaged readers in 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Palestine by providing over half a million books and journals each year to libraries, hospitals, refugee camps and schools. The majority of their support goes to rural and urban libraries which are free and accessible to everyone.
BookEnds
This organization, which focuses on kids helping kids in southern California, recycles good children’s books through student-run book drives. Originally founded by an eight-year-old boy, it assists inner city schools, youth centers, homeless shelters, family literacy centers, after-school enrichments programs, children's group homes and juvenile detention facilities. One hundred and seventy thousand student volunteers have collected, sorted and personally delivered more than 1.4 million donated books to create quality libraries where none existed before.
Books for Africa
They have a section on their site with guidelines for acceptable books and magazines, but what they specially need are children’s or young adult’s hardcover storybooks; college textbooks in all subjects; science and math books; dictionaries. Please note that it costs BFA approximately 38 cents to send each book so if you can add a contribution to cover the cost of sending each book you donate, it would be appreciated.
Books for America
Books for America is a small non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to promote literacy, life-long learning and understanding by distributing donated new and used books of all types and other forms of educational media to organizations serving disadvantaged communities and individuals. The majority of their current programs focus on collecting books for children, but recipients include adult and youth literacy programs, youth centers, transitional homeless shelters, hospitals, inner-city and rural schools, military bases, assisted living communities for seniors, veterans hospitals, women's shelters, hospices and other such organizations.
Books for Freedom
They are looking for books published or printed in 1980 or later—which doesn’t exclude a classic like Moby Dick that was copyrighted before 1980 as long as the book you have was printed in 1980 or later. Contact them before sending books.
Bridge to Asia
This organization is seeking English-language college, graduate and professional-level textbooks in a variety of subjects, journals and magazines, reference works. Contents take priority over condition. Used books are as desirable as new books if the information is current and their condition presentable.
First Book: Do You Remember the Magic of Your First Book?
First Book gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books by providing an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring and family literacy programs. Founded in 1992, First Book has distributed more than 40 million books to children in over 1300 communities around the country.
Kimai Primary School
This school, located in the Nyanza province, Kenya, Africa, is in desperate need of books in English. They are looking for the following subjects: science, English, literature, mathematics, bibles, health, agriculture, dictionaries, encyclopedias, social science and environment. You must clearly mark any books you send as “Educational Materials” or horrendous customs duties may be applied. Mail them to: Kimai Primary School; P.O. Box 2586; Kisii 40200; Kenya, Africa.
La Jolla Elementary School
They have a program which solicits books to send home with their Hispanic students (K-6) who often do not have home libraries. Please send donations to: La Jolla Elementary; 1111 Marine Street; La Jolla, CA 92037. Donna Tripi is the principal.
The Libri Foundation
The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 to help rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $2,300,000 worth of new children's books to more than 2,000 libraries in 48 states.
Operation Paperback
It is a non-profit, grassroots program founded in 1999. They collect gently used books and send them to American troops deployed overseas.
Reader To Reader
One of the best organizations around—it has my highest recommendation—Reader to Reader provides books, free of charge, to school libraries in the U.S.’s poorest communities. They supply books covering a myriad of subjects for all reading levels, from elementary to university. This organization researches public school information, looking for schools with below average test scores, low per student spending, and a high percentage of students from low-income families. They work with the schools’ librarians, alerting them to new collections of books that are available and shipping them the books they request free of charge. Newly added schools get an immediate infusion of 300-400 books. They then receive a monthly shipment of books in order to continually upgrade their resources. Currently, more than 300 schools benefit from this organization’s efforts.
