How to Donate Books to the Beaches Branch Library

One of the questions we get all the time is, “Can I donate books to the library?”

The answer is yes! The Friends of the Beaches Branch Library (FOBBL) welcomes donations of gently used books and other items for our popular book sales.

But before you load up the car, there are a few things you should know about what we can accept, where to leave your donations, and what happens to your books after you donate them.

This information is specifically for the Jacksonville Public Library Beaches Branch, located at:

600 Third Street
Neptune Beach, FL 32266

What Can I Donate to the Beaches Library?

We accept a variety of gently used books and media, including:

• Books of all types
• Children’s books
• CDs
• DVDs
• Magazines
• Puzzles

The key word here is gently used.

Please only donate items that are in good enough condition for someone else to purchase and enjoy. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Would I buy this at a used book sale?”

Please do not donate books that are falling apart, heavily damaged, dirty, wet, moldy, mildewed or have bugs. Items in poor condition cannot be sold and create extra work for our volunteers, who then have to dispose of them.

We also do not accept textbooks, user manuals, or similar types of books that typically don’t sell at our book sales, as they take up valuable space in our limited storage area.

Where Do I Leave Book Donations at the Beaches Branch?

For smaller donations of just a few boxes or less, you can simply bring your books into the library and place them in the designated donation area.

The donation cart is located just inside the Beaches Branch Library, immediately to your left when you enter. Look to the right of the Honor Cart area, against the wall, for a black cart with a “Donations Only” sign posted above it.

I’ve included photos below, so you’ll know exactly what to look for and where to leave your books!

When you first walk in and look left, you’ll see this:

The cart is against the wall, to the right of door 221B:

If you have a large donation, please contact us ahead of time rather than arriving with a carload of boxes. Storage space at the Beaches Branch is limited, so we need to make sure there is enough room to safely accommodate larger donations.

To arrange a large donation, please contact Friends of the Beaches Branch Library (FOBBL) President Marianna Kane at kanemom@aol.com before bringing your items to the library.

Please Don’t Leave Book Donations Outside

This is an important one: Please do not leave book donations outside the library or by the entrance when the library is closed.

Florida weather and books are definitely not a good combination! Even a box left outside for a short time can be damaged by rain, humidity, or moisture. Boxes left near the entrance can also create an obstruction for people entering and leaving the library.

Please bring all donations inside the Beaches Branch during regular library hours and place them in the designated donation area.

Beaches Branch Library Hours

Monday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Hours may occasionally change due to holidays, weather, or other special circumstances, so it’s always a good idea to check the Jacksonville Public Library website before making a special trip with your donations.

What Happens to the Books You Donate?

Many of the books and other items donated to the Beaches Branch become part of our FOBBL semiannual book sales, held in the spring and fall.

These sales are our biggest fundraisers and are a great way for local readers to stock their shelves with gently used books at bargain prices.

And those inexpensive books add up to something pretty amazing.

Our book sales have raised around $10,000 per sale, with the money going right back into supporting the Beaches Branch Library.

Your Donated Books Help Support Our Library

All funds raised by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library go directly toward supporting events, programs and improvements at our local Beaches Library.

Over the years, FOBBL funding has helped provide or support things like Live at the Library programs, Lit Chats, Chair Yoga, ComicFest, program refreshments and supplies, new shelving, children’s activities, landscaping improvements and library equipment.

We’ve also helped fund larger improvements, including renovations and upgrades to library spaces.

So that novel sitting untouched on your bookshelf can actually do quite a bit of good.

You donate it. Someone discovers it at one of our book sales. And the money raised goes right back into making our Beaches Branch Library an even better resource for the community.

Donate Your Books and Support Your Local Library

Cleaning out a bookshelf, tackling a closet full of old books or wondering what to do with the stack your kids have outgrown?

Bring your gently used books, puzzles and media to the Beaches Branch Library.

Your old books get the chance to find new readers, you clear a little space at home, and your donation helps FOBBL continue supporting the programs, events and improvements that make our local library such an important part of the Beaches community.