We Can Accept

PLEASE NOTE: Members of the public can donate up to 2 banker sized boxes at a time to the Bookstore, when it is open. If you have larger donations, please call to schedule a drop-off time.  Our volunteers will call you back to confirm a date/time.

Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library - Bahlow Bookstore Donation Guidelines

We welcome your clean and gently used items. If they have been stored in basements, attics, or garages, they are more likely unacceptable. Due to space limitations, the Bookstore can accept 2 medium-sized boxes (approximately 13″x12″x15″) or less of donations at a time.

We graciously accept the following materials:

• FICTION: Hardcover and Paperback, Graphic Novels, Manga
• NON-FICTION: Biography, History, Gardening, Cook Books, Crafting, Coffee Table, Etc.
• CHILDREN’S FICTION: Board books, Picture books, Chapter books, Series
• CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION: Animals, Sports, Science, Biographies, Etc.
• YOUNG ADULT/TEEN FICTION: Hardcover and Paperback, Series and classics
• AUDIO BOOKS/DVD’S/CD’s: Adult and Children
• MAGAZINES: Must be current editions (no older than 6 months)
• JIGSAW PUZZLES: Please make sure all of the pieces are included
• ITEMS OF CHATHAM AREA LOCAL HISTORY INTEREST: Yearbooks, Historical documents, pictures or physical items relevant to the Ball-Chatham area. Please contact Alanna, Local History Librarian at [email protected] or by calling the Library.

Remember, donations to the Friends of the Library may be tax-deductible! Just ask Friends' Volunteer for a receipt. We cannot, however, assign a dollar value to your donation.

We Cannot Accept

Due to limited storage space, we must be selective about accepted donations. 

We cannot use:

• VHS/Audio Cassette Tapes
• Readers' Digest Condensed Books
• Encyclopedias
• Textbooks
• Out of date medical or legal books
• Books that are falling apart, torn, with broken spines or contain excessive writing or highlighting
• Books that are dirty, water damaged, evidence of bug infestation or moldy (If books have orange or black spots on the page edges, this is a sign of mold and you should discard them in your trash.)

We reserve the right to refuse unsellable donations.  Please do not use the book return slots for your donations.