by Brittany M.

Before I started ninth grade, my eyes swept over my complete collections of The Baby-Sitters Club, Sweet Valley High and Anne of Green Gables. I had a hard decision to make. Do I let them go so someone else can be entertained and learn valuable life lessons from these books? Or do I keep them because they were well-loved, read repeatedly, and guided me through adolescence?

I decided it was time to let them go. So, I donated them to my local library which held book sales throughout the year. Although Howard County Library System no longer holds in-person book sales, your donations are still needed and much appreciated. We are partners with Better World Books, and the books you donate go to them to be sold online; a portion of the proceeds returns directly to Friends & Foundation of HCLS. Please keep these tips in mind when deciding what to donate:

The Condition of the Books 

Before donating, please evaluate the condition of the books. They should not have any mold, mildew, excessive dust and dirt, water damage, spine damage, or missing pages or covers.  

OK to Donate 

• Fiction and nonfiction (hardcover and paperback) 

• Rare Books 

• Children’s Books (including unused workbooks and activity books) 

• College Textbooks (published within 10 years) 

• Foreign Language Books (with an ISBN) (particularly Spanish, French, German, Russian) 

Not OK to Donate 

• Annuals and Yearbooks 

• Audio Cassettes, VHS Tapes, LP Records/Vinyl and Computer Software 

• Book Club Editions (Reader’s Digest Condensed and Time-Life Books) 

• Britannica and World Books Encyclopedia 

• Procedural Law Books 

• Custom Course Packets 

• Directories, Telephone Books and Indexes 

• Duplicate Copies (more than 20 copies per title) 

• Un-sellable Editions (Free Copies, Review Copies, Examination Copies, Complimentary Copies, Not for Sale Copies, Not for Resale Copies, Counterfeit Copies, Inbound Edition, Advanced Reading Copies, Uncorrected Proofs, or Galleys) 

• Journals and Periodicals (Literary Criticisms) 

• Microfilm and Microfiche Newspapers and Magazines 

• Non-Western Script Books 

• Tax and Government Documents or Forms 

• International Editions of Low Price Editions (LPS) 

• Hybrid Editions 

• Stand Alone Access Cards 

• DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs 

• Audiobooks and CDs 

• Video Games 

• Playaways 

Where to Donate 

HCLS has two branches where you can drop off your books. Just look for the bright green donation bin with “Better World Books” on the front and sides: 

Charles E. Miller Branch & Historical Center  
9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 

East Columbia Branch  
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 

Please do not leave books at the front doors of the branch or by the book drops. Also, do not set books on the ground outside of the donation bin, because in the event of inclement weather, the books are ruined.  

If you find yourself still buried in books after decluttering or for items that do not make our cut but are undamaged, consider taking them to The Book Thing of Baltimore, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.  

Brittany is a Customer Service Specialist at the Miller Branch who loves writing, reading, and all things stationery. Her other hobbies include playing video games, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family.