Book Donation Guidelines
Book Donation Guidelines
The right books make a real difference.
At Access Books, donated books help build classroom libraries students use every day.
When books meet current school needs, we can place them quickly—right where they’ll be read.
Quick Check (Before You Donate)
If your books meet all four of these, you’re good to go:
- Children’s books for grades K–8
- Clean and intact (no stains, tears, or water damage)
- Current, engaging titles kids want to read
- Books you’d feel good gifting to a child
Books We’re Happy to Accept
We welcome new and gently used children’sbooks that are:
- Appropriate for grades K–5
- Clean, readable, and in good condition
- Inclusive and reflective of today’s students
- High-interest picture books and early chapter books
These books are sorted, and placed with care—so they reach the right readers at the right time.
Books We’re Unable to Accept
Because storage space and sorting capacity are limited, we’re not able to accept:
- Damaged, torn, stained, or water-marked books
- Books with missing pages or broken spines
- Adult books or textbooks
- Encyclopedias, reference books, or workbooks
- Outdated materials
- Magazines, toys, or games
Declining these items helps us focus resources where they matter most: on students and reading.
Why These Guidelines Matter
Schools rely on Access Books for collections that are ready to use right away.
Following these guidelines helps us:
- Place books faster
- Reduce sorting and storage delays
- Respect school space and educator time
- Ensure donated books truly support reading
Thoughtful donations make a direct difference.
When choosing books to donate, please identify books that you would be comfortable giving as a gift. Nothing damaged, tattered, or dated. No adult books or library discards, please. Please consider donating these materials to your local public library or Goodwill.
If we receive books that do not meet the needs of the communities we serve, we will recycle them. Please be thoughtful when donating books!
If you have books you would like to donate, please use the drop-off sites below. Most sites are residential and do not keep drop-off hours. Please sort your books by grade level and label the boxes accordingly. Include a note if you require tax documentation and leave it outside the residence. Books should be in sealed, stackable boxes (rather than bags or overflowing boxes).
If you have more than six boxes, please contact us before dropping off. We may direct you to a school site rather than a private residence.
Thank you!
West Los Angeles
10325 Orton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Orton is east of Beverly Glen between Pico and Olympic.
K-5 BOOKS ONLY!
South Bay
212 Camino de las Colinas
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
*If you are planning to drop books at this location, please email in advance:
K-5 BOOKS ONLY!
Malibu
3727 Malibu Country Drive
Malibu, CA 98265
One block north of Malibu Canyon near Pepperdine University
K-5 BOOKS ONLY!
Or mail donated books or other materials to:
Rebecca Constantino, Ph.D.
ACCESS BOOKS
10325 Orton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90064
K-5 BOOKS ONLY!
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If you have books you would like to donate to Access Books Bay Area, please use the following drop off site. Please note that the site is a public school, and keeps regular school business hours, Monday – Friday.
Palo Alto
Jordan Middle School Library
750 N. California Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94303
At the intersection of Middlefield Road and N. California Ave.
Or mail donated books or other materials to:
Amanda Marchand
ACCESS BOOKS BAY AREA
750 N. California Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94303
K-5 BOOKS ONLY!
Planning a Book Drive?
If you’re collecting books for a school, temple, mitzvah project, or community group, please review these guidelines before you begin.
We’re happy to help you:
- Confirm age ranges and book types
- Answer questions about condition or volume
- Coordinate next steps