BOOK DONATION & FREE BOOKSTORES IN CHICAGO
Donate books in Chicago. Help keep reading free.
Drop off books at our Avondale, Uptown, or Lincolnwood locations. Collections of 250 or more books may qualify for free pickup. Your donations stock our free bookstores, support schools and libraries, and keep books out of landfills.
Where can I donate books in Chicago?
Books4Cause accepts book donations at our free bookstores in Avondale and Uptown (up to 10 boxes per visit) and at our Lincolnwood warehouse, which welcomes larger donations. We accept books in readable condition, along with CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and comics. Have 250 or more books? Your collection may qualify for free pickup.
Avondale
2931 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Mon–Fri 12–6pm · Sat & Sun 10am–5pm
Drop-offs up to 10 boxes per visit
Uptown
1226 W. Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Mon–Fri 12–6pm · Sat & Sun 10am–5pm
Drop-offs up to 10 boxes per visit
Lincolnwood Warehouse
7080 N. McCormick Blvd, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Mon–Fri 8am–3pm · Call 800-570-3698 on arrival
Larger donations welcome
4M
books saved from landfills
220,000+
books given away through our free bookstores
125+
libraries built in Africa since 2009
2
free bookstores, open 7 days a week
THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
One book can open a whole new world.
The books you are finished with can become someone else’s next favorite story. Our free bookstores in Avondale and Uptown make books, DVDs, and school supplies available to everyone — completely free.
SHOP WITH PURPOSE
Every book you buy helps keep another book free.
Books4Cause is entirely self-funded. Sales from donated books help operate our free bookstores, support educational programs, and open new locations. Buy a book. Help keep books free.
Retail store coming soon
THE JOURNEY OF A DONATED BOOK
One donation. Four ways it keeps giving.
Drop off a box of books and here’s where they go — nothing is wasted.
You donate books
Drop off at a Chicago-area location, or request a pickup for 250+ boxed books.
We sort with care
Our staff and volunteers inspect and sort donated books by hand.
Books reach new readers
Books stock our free bookstores, support schools, and help build libraries in Africa.
Sales fund the mission
A portion of donated books is sold to fund our free bookstores, programs, and shipments to Africa. Books that cannot be reused are recycled.
OUR PROGRAMS
Books that go the distance — local and global.
Our mission is simple: put books where access is limited. In Chicago and around the world.
Free Books in Chicago
Visit our Avondale and Uptown free bookstores and choose books at no charge. Learn more →
Books for Schools & Teachers
Teachers and schools have unlimited access to our free bookstores — stock your classroom or bring your class on a field trip. Learn more →
Libraries in Africa
With the African Library Project, we help establish and stock libraries in rural villages. Learn more →
Responsible Book Recycling
Books that can’t be reused are recycled rather than sent to landfills. Learn more →
University Resource Centers
We equip universities in developing countries with subject libraries, from intro to advanced. Learn more →
Volunteer With Us
Sort books, staff the store, run a book drive. View volunteer opportunities →
Donate Your Books
Books in good condition, CDs, DVDs, vinyl, comics & more. Drop off up to 10 boxes at Avondale or Uptown; bring larger loads to our Lincolnwood warehouse. Have 250 or more books? You may qualify for free pickup.
Visit the Free Bookstores
Avondale · 2931 N. Milwaukee Ave | Uptown · 1226 W. Wilson Ave. Open 7 days a week. Bring a bag — leave with a stack.