How to Sell or Donate Your Used Books

Our family really enjoys reading; so much in fact, that instead of a game room, we have a library. While do we tend to hang onto all our books, occasionally there comes a point where some of them really need to go away. Over the years, we've discovered all sorts of resources for selling or donating old books that we no longer read or refer to:

Antiquarian books

If you have very old books in your collection ~ old as in pre-1900 ~ these may be of value. Old book dealers are happy to come to your home, examine the collection, and buy the more valuable ones for resale. Of course, most will only pay a fraction of their true worth; for the best price, try selling these collectibles on eBay.

College textbooks

University students already know the benefit of selling textbooks back to the university for credit. For those old college textbooks that they won't accept, why not try selling them on Half.com? For ones that no one wants to buy, consider donating them to a rehab facility or homeless shelter.

Coffee Table, old pulp fiction and mid century Children Series

Series from the 1930s to 1960s have value to collectors and the baby boomer set. Pulp fiction, old detective novels, Perry Mason novels and practically every children series from this era sell well on eBay and Half.com. Coffee table and oversized books also can be sold in this venue.

Contemporary paper and hard backs

Newer paper and hard backs can be traded in to a local used book dealer. The standard formula is a credit of 1/4th of the original value which can be used to buy "new" used books at 1/2 the face value. If you are the type of person who always keeps a paperback in the car, this venue is a terrific resource.

So what about books that can't be sold?

Books for children of all ages are gratefully accepted by Women & Children crisis centers, food pantries, and shelters. Many of these places enjoy having gently used books on hand to give to low income families.

Thrift stores will almost always take donations of books in nice condition. These are usually sold to fund special programs for the poor and homeless.