How to Donate Books
Our work starts on your bookshelves. The Prison Library Project is powered by the community, and we simply couldn't do what we do without your donations. Because we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contribution is also tax-deductible.
Where & When to Drop Off
We’re happy to take your books at our Bookshop in the Claremont Packing House during our regular hours:
Daily: 10 AM – 5 PM
Location: 586 W 1st Street, Claremont, CA (Inside/First Floor of the Packing House)
A quick favor: Please give us a call at (909) 626-3066 before you head over with larger donations. It helps us make sure we have a staff member or volunteer ready to meet you and help with your boxes!
Just a heads-up: We aren't able to pick up donations or accept them in the underground parking garage at this time.
Purchase New Books
The most-requested books are often the hardest to find used. You can buy brand-new educational titles and high-demand books directly from our wishlist. They ship straight to our door, and it’s the fastest way to get a specific book into a reader's hands.
What We’re Looking For
We love quality used books, especially paperbacks, since those are allowed in almost every prison we support. While we take all kinds of stories, we're seeing a huge jump in requests for books that help people learn a new trade or prepare for life after release.
Our "Highest-Need" Books:
Trade Skills & Jobs: Auto mechanics, electrical work, CDL licensing, and carpentry.
Learning & Reference: Paperback dictionaries, thesauri, almanacs, and GED prep.
Language & Culture: Spanish-language books (fiction and nonfiction), ESL resources, and African American or Native American history and fiction.
Hobbies & Wellness: Art books, coloring books, puzzle books, and self-help or recovery literature.
Favorite Reads: Westerns, Manga, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and any quality fiction from the last 10 years.
A note on Hardcovers: Prisons usually require paperbacks. If you have hardcovers in great shape, we’ll often sell them in our bookstore. Those sales go directly toward the $30,000+ we spend on postage every year!
What We Can't Use
To keep our shipping costs down and follow prison safety rules, we have to be a little picky. We cannot accept:
Damaged books (broken bindings, missing pages, or heavy writing).
Encyclopedias or outdated magazines (National Geographic is the only exception!).
Hardbound textbooks or VHS/Cassette tapes.
Need a Receipt?
Just ask! We’re happy to provide a donation receipt when you drop off your books. If you forgot to grab one, no problem—just email us at info@claremontforum.org and we’ll get it to you promptly.