We are enamored by the many opportunities the Triangle has to donate, sell, and trade books. We hope this list helps point you in the right direction when you decide to clean out your home library or search for a new story. 📚
Now, book it to the locations below to discover a new novel or put some gently-used books in good hands.
Little Free Libraries
What are they?
Take a book. Share a book. That’s the motto of Little Free Libraries. Much like the Little Free Pantry movement, this nonprofit organization relies heavily on community efforts. These handmade book-sharing boxes are filled with free books by members of the community and are accessible 24/7. Raleighites can create or sponsor their own Little Free Library.
Where to find them:
- Charter #122700, 906 Oak Wood Ave. | This library features four hand-painted doors one of which houses donated food.
- Charter #18412, 119 Hawthorne Rd. | We found a real hidden gem, but left it for the next lucky reader. (Hint: it may or may not be a first edition.)
- DECO, 19 W. Hargett St., Suite 108 | Two old newspaper dispensers were placed side-by-side and turned into Little Free Libraries. When we stopped by, they were filled to the brim.
- Charter #94315, 507 S. Saunders St. | After selecting or donating a new read, head a few houses down to the Little Free Pantry at 521 W. Cabarrus St. to knock out two birds with one stone.
Didn’t see one close by? Check out this comprehensive map of more Little Free Library locations.
More places to donate books
These organizations are donation-based and focus on supporting the community by increasing access to literacy resources. Pro tip: read each website carefully for guidance on what books are accepted + for books that are in high demand before dropping them off.
- Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E. Davie St. | Transfer Co. is accepting book donations for the month of February on behalf of WAKE Up and Read, an organization that connects families with resources and programs to support young learners.
- Wake County Public Libraries, 4020 Carya Dr. | All donated books, audio books, and DVDs are sold to a secondary online vendor, helping the Wake County public library system gain additional funding for new library books.
- Book Harvest, 2501 University Dr., Durham (multiple drop-off locations) | Book Harvest accepts new and gently-used children’s books for young readers ages 0-18. If you want to offer extra support, you can set up a tub for donations on your front porch, at your office, or your neighborhood gathering spot using this graphic.
- Friends Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill | Friends is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) membership organization accepting gently-used + new books and puzzles, Wednesday, Saturdays + Sundays, in support of the Chapel Hill Public Library.
- NC Women’s Prison Book Project, Durham, NC. | Another volunteer-run organization, this project sends books + letters to incarcerated women across NC. Contact them via email and one of the volunteers will arrange to meet with you to pick up your donation. A high-demand book list is provided on the site. (Only accepting paperback books, as required by prisons.)
- Prison Books Collective, Carrboro, NC. | This collective is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006, providing literature + resources to incarcerated people in NC. A high-demand book list is provided on the site. (Only accepting paperback books, as required by prisons.)
Buy or sell your books
If you’re looking for a particular genre or you go through books at an exponential rate, buying used is the low-cost alternative to big book store prices. Plus, it’s an environmentally-friendly choice, too. Additionally, these stores offer a buck or two per book.
- Reader’s Corner, 3201 Hillsborough St. | This unique book store accepts used + rare books, vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, and comic books — for cash. You could spend hours here, not only sifting through the wide selection, but reading the little notes, pictures, and newspaper clippings covering the bookshelves. Looking for a certain item? Call ahead and the staff can check the shelves. Pro Tip: Ten- and 25-cent books live outside.
- Nice Price Books & Records, 3106 Hillsborough St. | Down the street from Reader’s Corner, you can find new + used books and records for, well, a nice price. They buy records, books, CDs, DVDs/Blu-ray, VHS, and cassettes. The vinyl collection is killer.
- Mr. Mike’s Used Books, 6440 Tryon Rd., Cary | Mr. Mike’s sells and accepts a large variety of quality fiction + non-fiction books. The prices are low cost, with over 99% of the books priced at half the original price or less. When buying your books, they offer two forms of payment: cash, and trade credit (in-store credit). Pro tip: the trade credit offer will always be higher.
Happy reading + donating, friends.