Book Donation FAQs

These are the most commonly asked questions about donating books, DVDs, and vinyl through Books4Cause. If you have a different question, call 800-570-3698 or email info@books4cause.com.

What is Books4Cause?

We are a social venture dedicated to supporting social causes, education, and community through a business model. Books4Cause doesn’t raise funds or rely on government grants — all of our funding comes from selling a portion of donated books. Our main goal is to recirculate books back into the hands of people who will read and treasure them.

We support both local and global initiatives. Through partnering with the African Library Project, we have built 125+ libraries in nursery schools, elementary schools, high schools, and universities across 18 countries in Africa. Locally, our free bookstores in Chicago’s Avondale and Uptown neighborhoods have given away more than 220,000 books to children, adults, and families who might not otherwise have access to them.

What types of book donations do you accept?

Nearly everything: children’s and adult books, textbooks, academic titles, comics, coffee-table books, plus CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, most magazines, school supplies, and collectibles. Items should be clean and in reusable condition — no mold, strong odors, or missing pages.

See everything we accept, including condition and age guidelines →

Do you accept old or antique books?

Yes — we welcome old, antique, and collectible books as long as they are clean, dry, readable, and free of mold, pests, or strong odors.

Do you pick up books?

Yes. Chicago-area collections of 250 or more books may qualify for free pickup when the books are packed in small, sturdy boxes — fully packed, closed, and taped shut — placed at ground level, and located within our 15-mile service area. Check your eligibility and submit a pickup request here.

Where can I drop off books?

Avondale Free Bookstore — 2931 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. Mon–Fri 12–6 p.m., Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Up to 10 boxes per visit.

Uptown Free Bookstore — 1226 W. Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640. Mon–Fri 12–6 p.m., Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Up to 10 boxes per visit.

Lincolnwood Warehouse — 7080 N. McCormick Blvd, Lincolnwood, IL 60712. Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Best for more than 10 boxes; call 800-570-3698 when you arrive.

Full details, maps, and directions: Book Donation Drop-Off Locations.

Which programs benefit from my donation?

We have two main programs: our free bookstores in Chicago and our global distribution in Africa. We partner with the African Library Project, a not-for-profit organization, to facilitate global distribution. Following library and school closures in Chicago, we saw a need for local book distribution and opened our own free bookstores — first in Avondale, now in Uptown too. Learn more about the free bookstores.

How do you sort and reuse donated materials?

Books4Cause finds the best possible use for each donated item. Books may stock our free bookstores, support the African Library Project, Bernie’s Book Bank, and other literacy partners, or be provided directly to schools and universities. A portion of donated materials is sold to fund our free bookstores, operating expenses, and book-distribution programs — that’s what keeps Books4Cause entirely self-funded. CDs and DVDs may be sold to support operations. Materials that cannot be reused or sold are responsibly recycled whenever possible.

Do you throw any book donations away?

We do not send reusable books to the trash. We find the best possible use for every donation. Books that cannot be reused or sold are responsibly pulped and recycled, helping keep hundreds of thousands of books out of landfills.

Do you provide a tax receipt?

Books4Cause is a social enterprise, not a 501(c)(3), so we cannot issue a charitable donation receipt for tax purposes. Upon request, we can provide an acknowledgment letter stating the date and quantity of materials received.