Getting rid of a book? Let us help you do it properly!
Is it in excellent or very good condition? Would you see it in a used book store and consider purchasing it as a gift?
Cool book! Call the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library at (415)453-1443 to find out how to donate. Our Friends sell high-quality used books at the Friends Books Store–all proceeds go to fund San Rafael Public Library programs and services!
Or visit zerowastemarin.org for more ideas.
Does it have tears, yellowed pages, mold or is it in otherwise poor condition? Is it about a non-fiction topic that is no-longer relevant?
Sounds like this book has served its purpose and is ready to be properly and lovingly disposed of. By you!
Paperbacks can go directly into the recycling; remove the covers of hardback books before recycling the pages. Visit Marin Sanitary Service to learn more.
Do not leave unwanted books on library premises!
The library does not accept donations of used books; please don’t leave them as it creates additional work for staff and we cannot add them to our collection. Leaving books is illegal dumping and all abandoned items are disposed of.
Just for fun: Do you know what the library does with the books we de-select from our collection?
Our physical collection is confined to buildings, which have a finite amount of space. All libraries weed their collections on a regular basis to make room for fresh materials.
When we de-select a book, we send it to the Internet Archive! There the book is digitized, and made available to people around the world as an eBook! Transcendent, no?
Do you have an Internet Archive virtual card? It’s a great tool for finding any type of book, but especially obscure titles.