Donate Books : Books for a Better Tomorrow!

Where to Donate Books in India? Are you looking for book donations near you?

The complete guide to donate books and rediscover the space on your bookshelf!

Don’t we all have books that are just lying at some corner of our shelves? It could be a novel you’ve outgrown or a textbook you no longer need. Whatever it is, you know you are holding onto something that you won’t be reading anymore. Give away your unwanted books and we will make sure they reach someone who’ll cherish them.

So, how do you donate books? Well, before you pack those novels and textbooks in a box, wait for a bit more! Before you donate, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what books are acceptable and what aren’t. Many of us have shelves filled with books we haven’t read in ages, or we notice students struggling with outdated editions each school year. 

NGOs and libraries frequently run book drives and often seek bulk donations. By understanding what can be donated, we can ensure these books find a new home where they are truly needed.

Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Items for Donating Books in India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Donation Guidelines

Is it good to donate books?

By donating books, you give others the opportunity to find the one book that will change their lives. Sharing our books with others is the simplest yet the best method to encourage literacy.

What types of books can I donate?

You can donate books including gently used fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, textbooks, cookbooks, and self-help books. Books on art, science, history, and travel are also welcome. Essentially, if it’s got a spine and pages that can be read, it’s likely to be accepted. We gladly accept gently used books that still have plenty of life left and can bring joy and knowledge to others.

Do you accept used books?

Absolutely, we welcome donations of gently used books! These books often have plenty of life left in them and can make a significant impact on someone’s life. By choosing to donate  books, you’re not only decluttering your space but also contributing to a more sustainable environment. It’s a wonderful way to spread happiness and care for our planet! Additionally, you experience the joy of giving every time you raise a donation pickup request on our platform.

Why is giving a book to someone in need better than selling books?

Giving a book to someone in need spreads knowledge and joy, providing access to stories and information they might not otherwise have. It fosters a love for reading, especially for those who can’t afford books, and promotes a sense of community and connection. Donating books also supports sustainability by reusing resources and reducing waste. Ultimately, it transforms your unused items into valuable treasures for someone else, creating a positive ripple effect.

Booking Process

How can I donate my preloved books?

To schedule a pickup for your preloved books in India, just visit our website and follow these steps:

1. Click on the button “Book a pickup” on the website – https://shareatdoorstep.com
2. Put your location and choose from the pickup options available in your area.
3. Select a convenient slot, fill in your details, make the payment and schedule a pickup.

Donation Tracking and Transparency

What happens to the donated books?

When you raise a request on our website sadsindia.org, our NGO mapping algorithm picks an NGO for your donations depending on various parameters- location, items to be donated, their quantity etc. 

Then the donations are picked up by our logistics partner and delivered to the matched NGO the same day directly. You are notified the details of the NGO where your donations went via automated email. 

Quantity

Do you have a minimum or maximum quantity for donations?

We’re excited to accept donations of all sizes, from just a few old books to an entire box of books that could fit a library—every bit helps! You can choose from our Light Pickup for smaller donations or opt for the “Medium to Heavy” pickup for more volume. You can select the “large suitcase”volume option one or multiple times depending on the volume of your donations. 

For larger bulk donations, Share At Door Step offers a convenient collection drive option. This service allows you to organize donation drives at various locations such as societies, workplaces, tech parks, and schools. 

To set up a drive, provide details about the organizer, the location, and the types of items to be donated. Share At Door Step ensures that your donations are collected and delivered to those in need, making the process smooth and impactful​

What time slots do you have for scheduling a pickup?

The 2-wheeler pickups are near-instant and are available everyday in most cities. Sunday slots may not be available in a few locations. Typical slot timings for pickups are 10-12PM, 12-2PM and 2-4PM.

For “Medium to Heavy Pickup”, we have pickup slots available every Wednesday in all the cities. Bengaluru has slots available everyday. The slot timings would be confirmed to you a day in advance by our logistics partner. 

Surplus or Excess Stock Donation

Can I donate surplus stock (on behalf of my company)?

Yes, you absolutely can! If you have surplus stock from your company that you’d like to donate, please contact us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at +91-8884784742. We’ll coordinate with our NGO partners to ensure that your items are needed and help you arrange a pickup that fits your schedule. This is a fantastic way to give back and make a positive impact with your previously loved books that you just don’t use or read anymore.

Packing Guidelines

What’s the best way to pack the books for donation?

For two wheeler pickup, you can pack in a disposable bag as the bag that riders carry is super small. 

For medium to heavy pickup, the ‘2 carton combo’ or ‘large suitcase option’ is equivalent to a large suitcase (that you carry to the airport) volume-wise. You can pack them in anything you have as long as the volume constraint is met (i.e volume of donations is not exceeding the volume of items you selected while booking). Generally people use those blue black disposable bags or old bedsheets to pack the items as they are easily available at home. 

Drop-Off

Can I drop off my donations instead?

Absolutely! When you book, just opt for the ‘drop off’ option. We’ll email you a list of local charities/organizations that you can coordinate with and plan your visit. Please ensure to coordinate with them and confirm their requirements and open hours before planning the visit.

Charges

Is there a charge for the pickup service?

Yes, a nominal convenience fee is charged to facilitate the pickup from your home.

For a two wheeler pickup (upto 10 Kgs in 1 bag), the convenience fee is Rs. 199 onwards based on your distance from the nearby matching NGO. For “medium to heavy” pickup, it starts with Rs. 699 for a large suitcase volume. 

For each subsequent addition, you would be charged 500 or 550 depending on the volume of the additional item added. You will see the exact convenience fee at the bottom when you schedule a pickup (at step 3 when you choose the items you wish to donate).

Why are charges applicable for the pickup?

We are a tech platform that facilitates the pickup service for giving away pre-loved goods. We charge a convenience fee to cover the costs incurred in providing these services and to fairly compensate for the effort involved in the pickup process.

If in case, you do not wish to pay, you can choose the 4th option ‘drop yourself’ to get the list of nearby NGOs that you can coordinate with and plan your visit. You can let us know via email if you need our help with the same. 

Donate your unused and gently used books in India to clear up space, rediscover your bookshelf, and share the joy of reading with others. Plus, it’s great for the planet and helps others too.

Join Share At Door Step and turn your forgotten items into valuable tools for others. Schedule your pickup today and make a positive impact!