Now Accepting Donations at Select Locations
Friends of the Library are now accepting items at donation bins. We recommend that you telephone first to confirm space is available before taking donations for drop off at these library locations:
- Almaden Branch - 408-808-3040
- Bascom Branch - 408-808-3077 - Limit to 3 grocery-sized bags
- Berryessa Branch - 408-808-3050 - Limit to 4 grocery-sized bags
- Educational Park - 408 808-3073
- Hillview Branch - 408-808-3033 - Limit to 1 grocery-sized bag
- Joyce Ellington Branch - 408-808-3043 - accepting encyclopedias and textbooks (no restrictions on publication year)
- Pearl Avenue Branch - 408-808-3053
- Rose Garden Branch - 408-808-3070 - Limit to 1 grocery-sized bag
- Santa Teresa Branch - 408-808-3068
- Tully Community Branch - 408-808-3030
- Village Square Branch - 408-808-3093
- Vineland Branch - 408-808-3000 - 15-item limit
- West Valley Branch - 408-244-4747 - Limit to 3 grocery-sized bags, accepting textbooks no older than 15 years
- Willow Glen Branch - 408-808-3045 - Only books, no media items
Unsolicited Donations of Materials to the Library Collection
Gifts are evaluated based on the same criteria as purchased materials. Acceptance of donated items is subject to the discretion of the collection development librarians. Donated items not added to the collection are not returned to the donor, but instead are offered to the Friends of the Library, which provides funds for system programs. Monetary donations are encouraged as an alternate form of giving that allows collection development librarians to choose materials guided by this policy.
What To Do with Used Magazines, Encyclopedias, Textbooks, and VHS Media
But what if you have gently used magazines, National Geographic issues, encyclopedias, textbooks, Reader's Digest condensed books or VHS Media that you don’t need? Unfortunately, most library Friends groups cannot accept these types of items. So, what can you do with them, especially if you'd prefer that they be re-used rather than simply recycled?
Here is a list of organizations in the local area that may accept donations in these categories — provided that the items are in good condition. This list was compiled by searching recyclestuff.org. Please call each organization before donating, since it may no longer accept the kind of donation you are planning to give.
Magazines
- Live Oak Adult Day Care Services - 408-971-9363
- Morgan Hill Library Friends - 408-779-3196
- Mountain View Senior Center - 650-903-6330
- Saratoga Library Friends - 408-867-6126
National Geographic Magazine
- Live Oak Adult Day Care Services - (408) 971-9363
- Morgan Hill Library Friends - 408-779-3196
- Yu-Ai Kai/ Japanese American Senior Services - 408-294-2505
Encyclopedias
- Los Gatos Library Friends - 408-354-6891
- Friends Outside in Santa Clara County - 408-468-0100
- Friendship Church of God in Christ - 408-258-5445
- Savers Thrift Store - 408-287-0591
- St. Elizabeth's Day Home - 408-295-3456
Textbooks
- Friends of the Cambrian Library - 408-808-3080 - recent college textbooks only
- Friends of the Pearl Avenue Library - 408-808-3053
- Friends of the Village Square Library - 408-808-3093
- Friends of the Vineland Library - 408-808- 3000 - recent textbooks only
- Friends of the West Valley Branch - 408-244-4747 - textbooks no older than 15 years
- Goodwill - Donation Center - 408-998-5774 ex248
- Goodwill - Retail Store - 408-265-5692
- Salvation Army - 408-286-3291
- Savers Thrift Store - 408-448-4380