Book & Media Donations by Appointment Only

As part of our Covid safety measures, we now require appointments be made in advance for all drop-off donations. Please read the following information about donations and then click the "Book Appointment" button below to schedule a drop-off. We cannot accept donations, no matter how small, without an appointment.  

Each donation appointment is limited to 20 boxes or 30 bags of items. Use containers that you are willing to leave with us. If you have more items to donate, you can make additional appointments. For exceptionally large donations—estates, store inventories, libraries—we ask that you email david.silberman@friendssfpl.org with the details so that we can make special arrangements. 

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​What we accept 
At Friends of the SFPL, we sell donated items to further our mission of supporting the San Francisco Public Library System. In addition to books, we accept CDs, DVD & Blu-ray, vinyl, computer & videogames, and books on CD. We are always looking for popular and perennial titles in good condition. We are also eager to receive technical, academic, and collectible books that we can sell through our eBay and Amazon storefronts. We accept books in all languages. Our staff and volunteers are experienced with rare and collectible books, and we thoroughly examine all donated materials to identify valuable and exceptional items. 

We ask that you not donate books that are moldy, water-damaged, musty from long storage in a garage or basement, heavily highlighted or underlined, showing signs of insect or rodent infestation, or smelling of tobacco. If in doubt, ask yourself, “Would I read this book in bed?” 
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We do not accept encyclopedia sets, magazines, VHS or cassette tapes, artwork, clothing, or household items. 

Preparing items for Donation 
Please box or bag your donations in advance, especially if you have a large quantity. We will no longer be able to assist you in moving donations from your vehicle to our donation bins, so please only use containers that you or someone accompanying you will be able to lift and move ten feet.  

What to expect when you arrive 
If you are driving your donation to us, you can parallel park in one of the reserved spots in front of our building. Use the intercom outside the building to let us know you have arrived, and a volunteer will open the garage door to receive your donation. Donors and Friends volunteers must wear masks and practice social distancing during drop-offs. You will carry your boxes and bags of donations about ten feet to our bins. A volunteer will be on hand to answer questions and give brief information, but will not be able to help move your donations. Donation receipts will be available at the drop-off point. 

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Update on Book Program 
 
We have downsized donation and used book selling program until the pandemic is over and we can resume community book sales and events. 

• The Big Book Sale this fall is canceled, and the Friends’ Bookstore at Fort Mason is permanently closed. 
• The Friends’ Bookstore at the Main Library and the Wednesday $1 Step Sales are closed until the Main Library reopens to patrons
• Book donations at the Donation Center in Potrero Hill are by appointment only, for more information, click here. 
• We have diverted book sales to our online stores, with stock from the bookstores listed on Amazon, and rare and collectible books and vinyl listed on eBay. Big Book Sale stock is being donated (St. Vincent DePaul, SFUSD, and community organizations) and sold as wholesale to other regional booksellers while we await the opportunity to sell inexpensive books to the public once again, when it is safe to do so. 

 
Meanwhile, Friends is focused on what it has always done best – supporting the Library and Library staff step-by-step as they respond to emergency community needs. We will continue to raise money to strategically help the Library provide virtual services, launch SFPL To Go, and collaborate to provide Neighborhood Learning Centers serving our most vulnerable students and families. ​​​

While you wait…please continue to support the Library by  
 
Shopping for books online at Friends’ online stores on Amazon and Ebay.

It's the Big Book Sale online, all the time!

AMAZON STORE

EBAY STORE

Donate to Friends – become a member today! ​

Donate

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