Where to get donated children’s books for your organization or community
Looking to add literacy to your programming? Want to share children’s books with families in your neighborhood? Philly is lucky to have incredible literacy leaders connecting organizations and community groups with free children’s books.
Reach out to any of the groups below for books or to support their incredibly important work. Just be sure to tell them we say hi!
The Philly Book Bank (FKA Reading Recycled) gives new and gently used books to families, shelters, schools, laundromats, and pantries—any place a child may want to read.
Executive Director, Anne Keenan, is Reading Hero plain and simple. Serving countless communities across Philadelphia, she's selfless and an incredible force for good in this city.
Tree House Books is a giving library and literacy center in North Philadelphia with a dual purpose: to provide free books to the community and spread knowledge and awareness. Through outreach and programming, they cultivate a deep love of reading that radiates throughout the entire community.
And don’t miss the Traveling Tree House! This book mobile is spreading book joy one stop at a time.
Diverse books are essential to growing strong readers. Read by 4th partners have been working together to find ways to increase the number and quality of culturally-relevant books we all give to families. And thanks to a partnership between William Penn Foundation, First Book, the Philly Book Bank, and Read by 4th, our wish is being answered!
Philly Book Wish is an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 worth of brand-new, diverse books. If you’re a school, organization, or literacy advocate reaching low-income families you’re eligible and encouraged to apply.
Books In Homes USA’s driving purpose is to make a profound impact on the trajectories of children living in underserved communities, by inspiring a love of reading. By forging partnerships with individuals, corporations, and foundations, they afford children opportunities to build their very own home libraries with free brand-new books to own and enjoy.
BookSmiles promotes literacy and the joy of reading by giving books to children who need them most throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey. They provide students with high-quality new or gently used books, laying the groundwork for academic success.
Literacy advocates and teachers, this is a great place to receive books for classroom libraries, home collections, and pop-up book fairs.
Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia is driven by a focused and all-important goal: to make life better for children in need.
Not only is this a great place to donate and volunteer, Cradles to Crayons helps organizations provide everyday essentials to the children and families they serve. Including books!
