Donating Books and Other Items

The Foundation Friends accept donated items at their bookstore, located in the Main Library at 425 E Main Street. Proceeds from the Foundation Friends Bookstore and from semi-annual book sales directly benefit the Carmel Clay Public Library, providing funding for the library's programs and events.

Donated materials may be dropped off in the bookstore during normal bookstore hours. To arrange to drop off a large donation or if you have other questions, please call 317.814.3997.

Because space is limited, please review the donation guidelines below carefully.

Materials that are accepted:

• gently used books for all ages
• DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, audiobooks on CD
• complete puzzles and games
• greeting and note cards
• antique, rare, and collectible books
• textbooks (2000 to current)

Materials that are NOT accepted:

• adult hardback fiction and mystery books with missing dust covers (unless rare and collectible)
• vinyl records, VHS tapes, and audiocassette tapes
• books with broken bindings or torn/missing pages
• books with water damage, mold, mildew, or other residue
• textbooks from before 2000
• encyclopedias
• computer manuals and professional manuals
• magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, or 3-ring binders

These items cannot be accepted due to the volunteer time needed to sort them and the cost of recycling. Please donate or recycle these items elsewhere, such as Goodwill. Magazines and paperbacks can be taken to any paper recycling bin.

Proceeds from the Foundation Friends Bookstore and semiannual book sales provide funding for the library's programs for all ages.