Book Donations

Books and other materials can be donated at the FOLMC Bookstores in Rockville or Wheaton. Funds from the FOLMC Bookstores are used to support and enhance library programs and services.

Book Donations

Many branches accept donations of used books, music, and DVD videos. Sometimes branches cannot accept donations because space is limited, so contact your branch before bringing donations.

Branches currently accepting donations include:

  • Aspen Hill
  • Chevy Chase
  • Connie Morella
  • Damascus
  • Davis
  • Gaithersburg
  • Germantown
  • Kensington Park (Limit 2 boxes or bags)
  • Long Branch
  • Olney
  • Quince Orchard (Limit 1 box or bag)
  • Rockville Memorial
  • White Oak

Items must be in very good to excellent condition. We cannot accept encyclopedias, magazines, out-of-date textbooks, or dirty, mildewed, smoky, damaged, or torn materials.

Bring donations into the library building to the check-out desk. They should not be deposited in book drops or left outside the building. To get a receipt for tax purposes, please tell a library staff member, at the time of the donation, how many and what types of items you have donated. We will verify the number of items but will not place a value on donated materials.

Most donated items go to stock the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, MD operated bookstores in Rockville and Wheaton. You can also donate items directly to the stores.  Read their donation policies. Proceeds from the sale of donated items support the libraries and our programming.

If you want to donate items specifically to have them included in the library's collection, please see information for authors and others submitting work for consideration. You can also read about gifts in our Collection Policy.

Book Sales

Book sales at our libraries are sponsored by Friends of the Library at individual libraries, and proceeds support the libraries and our programming.

In-Person Booksales take place at Germantown library every second Saturday from 10AM – 1PM.

In addition, many branches always have a few shelves of donated used books for sale. These include:

  • Aspen Hill
  • Chevy Chase
  • Connie Morella
  • Damascus
  • Davis
  • Gaithersburg
  • Germantown
  • Kensington Park
  • Little Falls
  • Long Branch
  • Olney
  • Quince Orchard
  • Rockville Memorial
  • White Oak

Used books and other materials are sold at the Wheaton and Rockville FOLMC bookstores operated by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, MD. The bookstore sells both donated materials and materials that have been deaccessioned from the library collection.

Additional Donation Sites for Used Books

The following organizations also accept book donations.

  • Goodwill - helps people train for careers and get the supportive services they need to be successful.
  • Velocity of Books - promotes literacy through the collection and distribution of books. Call (301) 637-2754.
  • The Salvation Army - builds local programs designed to offer immediate relief, short-term care, and long-term growth in the areas that will best benefit the community.