Donate Used Books

Place your book donations into a Better World Books green donation box at select library branches. Proceeds support the Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library System.

Visit Better World Books

Locations

Miller Branch:
Donation Box
9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042

East Columbia Branch:
Donation Box
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

Elkridge Branch:
Customer Service Desk
6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge MD 21075

Please use the green Better World donation boxes or circulation desk. Books placed in library book drops or at the front doors may be mistaken as lost personal items.

Material Guidelines

Learn more about what you can donate at Better World Books Material Guidelines.
By following these guidelines, you help us reduce our carbon footprint while minimizing transportation, warehousing, and processing costs. As a result, we are committed to making the process as simple as possible while striving to offer our free service to as many libraries as possible.

Condition Requirements

Books must be free of mildew, mold, excessive dust, and dirt. In addition, books cannot have water damage, nor should they exhibit excessive spine damage, or have missing pages or missing covers. Please leave any library treatments intact. No part of the book’s pages should be removed with scissors or razor blades.