Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a tax deduction for my book donations?

Yes! Click here for a form you can fill out and keep for your records, documenting your donation. 

What types of books do you accept? 

We welcome your donations of children's books for readers of all ages, from birth through high school.  This includes board books, picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels.

Our greatest need is for books for our youngest readers (as early as birth). Additionally, we want out book donations to reflect the diversity of our population: we are greatly in need of books with kids of color and Spanish language books.

What happens to book donations that Book Harvest cannot use?

We are not able to accept adult books, political or religious books, books that are too worn, reference books, textbooks, or encyclopedias.  When we do receive books that we cannot use, we donate them on to another organization that can use them.  We are exploring ways to sell these books; any revenues realized from book donations will help fund our programs.

Why does Book Harvest focus on giving books as opposed to other activities that support literacy?

Multiple studies have demonstrated that merely having books at home is an important factor in children's academic success. By giving books to children who have few or no books of their own at home, we can work to bridge the achievement gap and help forge a path toward longterm academic success.  Providing books from birth ensures a book-rich environment from the start and helps the child grow up in a  culture of reading.  Ensuring that low-income school-aged children go home for summer with books to read gives them the tools they need to arrest the summer slide during their highest risk time for loss of academic skills.

Why does Book Harvest insist that children who receive books be allowed to select their own books?

It's simple:  kids who are more "buzzed" by their books are more likely to read them!

In what areas does Book Harvest operate?

We serve low-income children in central North Carolina.  Our 25+ distribution partners are in Durham, Orange, Wake, Chatham, Alamance, and Caswell Counties.  Most of our books are distributed in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro.

How do I get involved?

There are many ways! You can donate money, donate books, run a book drive, serve as a liaison to one of our distribution partners, run a special event, help with fundraising, or sort books.  Click here to learn more.

Where can I drop off my book donations?

Click here for an up-to-date list of locations where you can drop your book donations off anytime -- including Flyleaf Books, Twig, The Children's Store, and The Regulator Bookshop.

What if I want to donate books but I have none at home?

Stay tuned for our wish list!  With a few clicks of the mouse, you will soon be able to  order a book to be shipped to us.  Or you can stop by Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill or The Regulator Bookshop in Durham to buy a new book to drop in the bin.  Receiving new books is especially exciting for us and our young readers.