Book Drop-Off/Donation Options
Is your personal library overflowing? Are you looking to unload some books that you and your family have outgrown or just don’t need anymore? There are lots of options for donating or exchanging books in the Melrose area.
In addition to the book drop box at the DPW Yard on Tremont Street, there are several “little free library” book-sharing boxes located throughout the city of Melrose. At least some of these boxes were initially closed at the outset of the pandemic but have reopened with signs advising sensible safety precautions, such as washing or sanitizing your hands and wiping down your books before you deposit them.
The locations of Melrose book exchange boxes include the following, based on the map provided by the organization Little Free Library (https://littlefreelibrary.org/; go to the “map” link and enter your zip code to find a book-sharing box that’s convenient for you) and on individual reports confirming the map locations. Keep in mind that these libraries are very small--they are not places to unload boxes o’ books. They’re for sharing--but that’s important!
Orris Street near Walton Park.
Mendum Street between Orris and Franklin.
Warwick Road near Stevens Road.
Lynn Fells Parkway eastbound between Burrell and Lincoln.
Morgan Street near Main Street.
Upham Street near Incarnation Catholic Church (north side of the street).
Swaims Pond Road between Staples and Beech.
Near Berwick Street and Allen Place.
Main Street near Cambridge Savings Bank.
West Emerson Street near Charles Street.
Two on North High Street.
Bartlett Street between Everett and Frances streets.
Corner of Gould and Pleasant streets.
Derby Road south of where it changes to Waverly Place.
Essex Street across from the former Deering Lumber
Vinton Street between Lynn Fells Parkway and West Emerson
The Little Free Library website lists an exchange box on Main Street near the former Franklin School (intersection of Franklin St. and Main St.), but there is no box there. There is, however, a book drop-off bin, like the one at the DPW Yard, on the Main Street side of the center. The website lists other sites where there is no box (e.g., Appleton St. and Franklin St. near Dominos Pizza).
Books are also exchanging through the Buy Nothing Melrose Facebook page, along with many other items. A more directed way to exchange books via Facebook connections is through the group Melrose area book swap.
Several charitable and other organizations accept used books for redistribution or re-sale, provided they are in good condition. It is wise to call ahead to find out how each organization’s return policies may have been modified during the pandemic. Reseller Better World Books has a dropoff location for used books at the Burlington Mall (91 Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington). Savers (1160 Broadway in Saugus, across Rte. 1 from the Square One Mall; 781-231-1232), The Goodwill Store (230 Elm Street, Davis Square in Somerville; 617-628-6318), and the Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center (483 Broadway in Somerville; 781-3959783) all accept used books.
Another option is More Than Words, which describes itself as “a job training and youth development program that empowers nearly 350 youth each year to take charge of their lives by taking charge of our $4 million bookselling business.” The organization says that it accepts gently used clothing and all of your books, as well as CDs, DVDs, and video games. Drop offs can be made at its facilities in Waltham (56 Felton Street) and Boston (242 East Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor), or at local drop-off boxes. The boxes nearest to Melrose are in Stoneham (48 Stevens Street) and Winchester (15 McKay Avenue).
If you prefer the charity to come to you, Vietnam Veterans of America has just the program. Through its Pickup Please program, the organization will come to your door to pick up a wide variety of materials, including hardcover and softcover books, fiction and non-fiction books, children’s books, textbooks, and magazines. Visit the website to schedule a pickup.