The Library accepts these materials in good condition:
- Books
- Zines
- CDs (music and audiobooks)
- DVDs
The Library does not accept:
- Books with mold, handwriting, or highlighting
- Reader's Digest condensed books
- Textbooks
- Magazines*
- VHS tapes
- Audiotapes
*Magazines are accepted only for use by Outreach Services patrons. Label them “Donations for Outreach" and take them to your local library.
Making a donation
You can give a single item to staff in your local library or mark it as a donation and place it in the book drop.
To donate multiple items, please contact the library to confirm that donations are currently being accepted.
A donation form for tax purposes is available if you come into the library to make your donation.
Value
We do not provide appraisals and do not accept materials that are not outright gifts.
By law, we cannot determine the value of a donation for tax purposes. We can supply you with a letter that acknowledges the donation you made.
What happens to donated materials
Staff will determine whether the material will be added to the library collection or given to the Friends of the Hennepin County Library to be sold in a book sale to benefit the Library. Materials that contain outdated information about health, science, business, etc., will be recycled.
Once you donate an item, the gift becomes the property of the Library or the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. We are unable to return donated materials.