Thank you for donating to Ames Public Library! Your gently used items help support programs, services, and community events.
To make donating easy, please review the guidelines below set in accordance with the Library’s Donations Policy.
What We’re Happy to Accept
- Hardcover and paperback books in good condition. We can’t accept items that are damaged, moldy, musty, written in, or missing pages.
- Up to 10 boxes at a time
- Commercially produced media (CDs, DVDs)
- Recent magazines
- Jigsaw puzzles
Items Accepted With Age Limits
To ensure our collection and sales remain current, we accept the following types of books only if they were published within the last 5 years:
- Medical or financial advice books
- Travel guides
- Computer manuals
- Textbooks
- Test preparation guides
Price guides and almanacs: current editions only.
Items We’re Unable to Accept
- Large quantities of loose books. (Items must arrive in boxes; we cannot return boxes or bins.)
- Boxes brought directly from long-term storage (often contain mold, pests, or moisture damage)
- Damaged or compromised books (broken bindings, missing pages, stains, odors, mold, smoke or water damage, excessive writing)
- Clearly outdated materials (see “Age Limits” below)
- Toys, games, or artwork
- Condensed books (e.g., Reader’s Digest)
- Encyclopedias, professional journals, or academic journals
- Non-commercial or home-recorded media
- Cassette tapes or VHS tapes
- Workbooks, coloring books, or study guides that have been partially or fully filled in
Small donations:
Please bring these to Literary Grounds inside Ames Public Library during open hours.
Larger donations:
Up to 10 boxes accepted at a time. When you arrive, call (515) 239-5646 ext. 2. Park in the alley on the west side of the building (in front of the Bookmobile Garage). A staff member will bring out a cart. If you need help unloading, please call 515-239-5663 or email jehanaf@amespubliclibrary.org to arrange an appointment for assistance.
Very large donations:
We’re unable to accept extremely large loads (such as a full truckload). At times, when our storage is full or inventory needs are met, we may pause donations.
We can provide a receipt which lists quantities (paperbacks, hardcovers, etc.), but we cannot assign a dollar value. Your tax preparer can help determine the value of your donation.
Your donations directly support Ames Public Library! The Ames Public Library Friends Foundation hosts book sales and operates Literary Grounds, our used bookstore. Proceeds support programs such as:
- Summer meals for kids and teens
- Hotspots for internet access
- Summer and winter reading challenges
Depending on our needs and item condition, donated items may be added to the Library’s collection, sold at a Friends Foundation book sale or in Literary Grounds, given away, or responsibly discarded.
Contact Us
For more information about donation guidelines, call (515) 239-5663 or e-mail volunteer@amespubliclibrary.org.