San Diego Book Donation

Of course books, magazines, and newspapers are all recyclable, but we shouldn’t forget the other R’s…Reduce and Reuse! Donating books is a great way to reuse items and keep them out of landfills.

For San Diego residents mail, newspapers, magazines, and phonebooks can all be recycled in your curbside program. Keep in mind that magazines and books can make wonderful donations for nursing homes or shelters.

Where to Donate Books in San Diego

Books are meant to be shared, so if you’ve got a collection of books you’re done with then look through these options for donating books in San Diego.

Friends of the San Diego Public Library

A wonderful bookstore ran by Friends of the San Diego Public Library accepts book donations and also holds great book sales every third weekend of the month, if you want to get some great deals on books.

Book donation hours are:

  • Open Hours every Tuesday and Thursday 9 am-12 pm (noon)
  • 24 Hour Donation box located on Howard Avenue
  • By Appointment call: (619) 542-1724 or email: [email protected]

Goodwill San Diego Kearny Mesa Book Store

San Diego Goodwill accepts book donations at their Kearny Mesa Bookstore as well as all their San Diego Goodwill locations. This gem of a bookstore is located at:

7061 Clairmont Mesa Blvd #201

San Diego, CA 92111

(858) 810-8230

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

Friends of Santee Library

This bookstore also accepts gently used book donations. This is another great option if you are looking to donate books in decent condition. They also accept audio and videotapes, DVDs, and CDs. Drop-offs are accepted during store hours and they are located at:

9225 Carlton Hills Blvd. #8

Santee, CA 92701

(619) 596-1525

Store Hours:

Mon 12-7pm, Tues, Wed, Thurs 12-4pm, Friday 12-5pm

Sat 10-5pm and Sunday 11-2pm

friendsofsanteelibrary.com

Book-Off

This is an awesome store that can help you purge a lot of your unwanted or unneeded media including books, DVDs, comic books, and more. Better yet you can even make some extra cash from your old books. We are lucky to have a location right here in San Diego off Kearny Mesa Rd.

BookOff San Diego Store

4240 Kearny Mesa Rd. #128, San Diego, CA 92111

Store Hours: 10am-8pm

(858) 627-9600

Bookoffusa.com

More Book Donation Locations

For children’s books, you can contact a nearby school or childcare center to see if they are currently accepting book donations. Most teachers will gladly welcome any book donations to help supplement their own classroom books.

San Diego Rescue Mission

San Diego Rescue Mission accepts book donations at their three thrift store locations. They help women and families in crisis with emergency housing and food. Your donation will help fund these crucial programs.

Point Loma Thrift Store

3601 Sports Arena Blvd

San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 819-1785

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30pm

Sunday 8-4pm

City Heights Thrift Store

5150 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 819-1711

Hours: Mon-Sat 8-4pm Closed Sundays

North Park Thrift Store

3055 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 819-1855

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30pm Closed Sundays

Further Reading

More information on book donation can be found in our article about book recycling.