Donate Used Books

Manitowoc Public Library is appreciative of the generous donations we receive. Materials gifted to the Library in all formats are subject to the Collection Development Policy. Any items not added to the collection will be given to the Friends of Manitowoc Public Library. Friends of MPL will either make those items available for sale or dispose of the items as they see fit.  Library staff will provide an acknowledgement of the material donation, but this will not include a value of the material. Review our full Material Donation Policy.

General Donation Guidelines

We will accept one grocery bag of donated materials at our Main Service Desk. Items must be in good condition: clean and free of odor.  Items will be assessed by staff prior to acceptance. 

Donations larger than one grocery bag will be accepted by appointment only.  We will not accept drop-in donations larger than one grocery bag. To setup an appointment please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator.

What We Accept

  • Hard and soft cover adult fiction
  • Paperbacks - less than one year old
  • Children’s books
  • DVDs, music CDs, and books on CD, in complete cases
  • Specialty non-fiction items such as biographies, Green Bay Packers, collectible jewelry, WWII, cookbooks, and crafts

What We Do Not Accept

  • Encyclopedias or textbooks
  • Self-help computer books, office manuals, legal books, and medical guides
  • Outdated materials 
  • VHS tapes and cassette tapes
  • Magazines and newspapers
  • Reader’s Digest condensed books
  • Books that are damaged, or dirty, or have odors from being stored in a garage or basement