Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequent questions about donating and receiving books, or becoming a partner organization.

How can I donate? How can I get involved? How do I become a partner organization or get books?.

We welcome outreach from anyone and everyone right now! Please reach out to us via email at info@booksinhand.org, or by using our Contact form.

What types of books do you accept?

We will accept almost any type of book. Unfortunately, older textbooks are very hard to find homes for, and we cannot accept most textbooks, encyclopedias, or large atlases. We also can’t accept older teaching materials or boxes of photocopies/dittos. At this time, we are not accepting alternate media (DVDs, CDs, cassettes.)

Do you accept books in “used” condition?

Books need to be in “good or better” condition. No moldy books, no books with heavy brown spots on the edges, no stinky books. Moderate spine creases are OK for paperbacks, but the binding needs to be solid on the inside. A teeny bit of cover wear or fading on the edges or spine is OK, but no torn covers, no torn pages. An owner’s name, or a few modest markings inside are fine, but no extensive writing or highlighting.

Are my donations tax-deductible?

Not yet. We are expecting our 501(c) non-profit designation before the end of 2025. If you need a tax-deduction receipt, you can donate to one of our partner organizations

What do you do with the books you receive?

At least 90% of the books go directly to end-users, or to our partner organizations, who distribute them into peoples’ hands. No more than 10% of the books are sold, and the money is used for the operating budget. (Reimbursement for volunteers’ expenses, necessary business related stuff, and eventually to provide resources and grants to our partner organizations.)