
Many hospitals accept book donations, especially children's hospitals, which often have programs that promote literacy and provide comfort to young patients and their families. These hospitals usually only accept new books due to infection control guidelines. Some hospitals also accept monetary donations to purchase books at a discount. Other places that accept book donations include local theatres, retirement homes, and literacy organizations. It is always a good idea to call ahead to ensure that your book donation is needed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hospitals accepting book donations | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Michigan Medicine |
| Types of books accepted | Brand-new books for infants and toddlers, new books for early readers, new books for children and their families, new books for sick patients |
| Monetary donations | Accepted by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Michigan Medicine |
| Contact information | [email protected], (215) 590-5989, (614) 355-5400, [email protected], Email address for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Email address for Michigan Medicine |
| Other places to donate books | Local theaters, retirement homes, preschools/childcare sites, nursing homes, local libraries |
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What You'll Learn
- Hospitals usually only accept new books due to infection control guidelines
- Psychiatric hospitals may accept used books
- Children's hospitals often have specific book requests for their young patients
- Hospitals may accept monetary donations to purchase books at a discount
- Local theatres may accept historical books as props

Hospitals usually only accept new books due to infection control guidelines
Hospitals have varying guidelines for accepting book donations. For example, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia accepts new books for infants and toddlers, while Nationwide Children's Hospital accepts new books for early readers, including chapter, picture, and board books.
Some hospitals, like Children's Hospital Los Angeles, have strict infection control guidelines and only accept brand-new books for their patients. Michigan Medicine's Giving Library also adheres to strict infection control guidelines and can only accept donations of new books. These hospitals often suggest alternative organizations that accept used books or encourage monetary donations to purchase books at a discount.
Psychiatric hospitals are also mentioned as potential places to donate used books. Local theatres, museums, retirement homes, and schools are other options for donating gently used books. It is always important to call ahead to ensure that your donation is needed and to confirm any specific guidelines or requirements.
Overall, while some hospitals may accept gently used books, many prioritize the health and safety of their patients and adhere to infection control guidelines by only accepting new books.
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Psychiatric hospitals may accept used books
While many hospitals have strict infection control guidelines and can only accept donations of new books, psychiatric hospitals may accept used books. This is because they are not in the medical field and are therefore not bound by the same restrictions.
In fact, a quick search online reveals that psychiatric hospitals are often in need of books, and your donation could be very much appreciated. It is always worth calling ahead to ensure that your donation will be accepted, and to find out if there is a particular genre or type of book that is needed.
There are many other places that will accept used books, such as local theatres, museums, retirement homes, preschools, and nursing homes. Arts and crafts locations, ski resorts, and local libraries may also be happy to take them off your hands. If you are looking to donate children's books, you could consider organisations such as Kids Need to Read, which provides books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States.
Remember to always be courteous and thoughtful when donating books. Sorting and organising your books before donating is a good way to ensure your donation is helpful and not a burden.
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Children's hospitals often have specific book requests for their young patients
Some children's hospitals, such as Nationwide Children's Hospital, have a Reach Out and Read program, which transforms waiting areas into literacy-enriched spaces. These hospitals tend to request new books, and some have specific guidelines on the types of books they will accept. For example, CHOP has a list of books they are looking for, including "Baby Faces", "I Love Colors", and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?".
If you are interested in donating books to a children's hospital, it is best to contact them directly to ask about their current needs and guidelines. Many hospitals will have an email address or phone number listed on their website for donation inquiries. It is also worth noting that some hospitals do not accept used books due to infection control and privacy issues.
In addition to children's hospitals, there are other organizations that accept children's book donations, such as Kids Need to Read, which provides books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States. They accept "like new" children's books that are not visibly damaged.
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Hospitals may accept monetary donations to purchase books at a discount
Many hospitals have strict infection control guidelines and can only accept donations of new books. Some hospitals, therefore, may prefer to accept monetary donations to purchase books at a discount. For example, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Reach Out and Read program purchases books at a significant discount, so they appreciate monetary donations. Similarly, Children's Hospital Los Angeles accepts monetary donations to purchase books with their nonprofit discount, stretching donated dollars for the biggest impact.
Michigan Medicine's Giving Library also accepts monetary donations to promote literacy and provide comfort to children and families. They also accept donations of new books. The Nationwide Children's Hospital also accepts new books for their Reach Out and Read program, but they do not accept used books due to infection control and privacy issues.
If you are interested in donating used books, there are other options to consider. Local theatres may accept historical books as props, and retirement homes may also be interested in gently used books. Organizations such as Kids Need to Read accept "like new" children's books that are not visibly damaged. Local libraries may also be able to provide information on groups and organizations that handle book donations, including donations of used books.
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Local theatres may accept historical books as props
If you're looking to donate books to a hospital, it's best to contact the hospital directly to inquire about their current needs and policies regarding donations. Some hospitals may accept gently used books, while others may only accept new books for infection control and safety reasons.
Now, if your books are historical in nature, local theatres may accept them as props for their performances. Props are an essential part of creating a realistic setting and enhancing the storytelling on stage. They can include handheld items like books, cups, weapons, and tools that actors interact with during a performance.
Theatrical props can be acquired or specially made for a production. For example, a prop weapon can be a replica, a real weapon, or a modified version of a real weapon to ensure safety. Other props may require modifications to make them more visible under certain lighting conditions or to be compatible with electrical equipment.
There are even guidebooks available, such as "The Theater Props Handbook," which offer detailed instructions and illustrations on how to construct and modify various types of props, including those used in historical settings. These resources can be especially useful for community theatres looking to create their own props.
So, if you have historical books that you're looking to donate, consider reaching out to your local theatres to see if they can use them as props. It's a great way to give new life to your books and support the arts in your community.
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Frequently asked questions
Many hospitals accept book donations, but due to infection control and privacy issues, they often only accept new books. Some hospitals have specific programs that you can donate to, such as the Literally Healing Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the Giving Library at Michigan Medicine, and Reach Out and Read at Nationwide Children's Hospital. You can also donate books to psychiatric hospitals. It is always best to call ahead to ensure that your donation will be accepted.
Hospitals often accept books for people of all ages, from infants to adults. Some hospitals have specific programs for children, so they may be more likely to accept children's books. Hospitals usually accept gently used books that are not excessively worn, torn, or scribbled on. Some hospitals may also accept books with religious or political content, but this varies.
Yes, some hospitals accept monetary donations or gift cards to purchase books. You can also purchase books from their Amazon wish lists, which allows them to address high-priority book needs as they arise.











































