Donating Materials to the Library

Thank you for considering a donation of books or other materials to Cleveland Public Library. Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding donations. For more information please contact planning@cpl.org.

What Does the Library Accept?

Cleveland Public Library welcomes gifts of new and good-condition used books, DVDs, CDs, and similar materials held by the Library. The Library does not accept magazines, encyclopedias, sheet music, audio cassettes, videocassettes or LP records.

Please contact the Library at planning@cpl.org if you are considering donating items that are rare or unique.

Where Can I Bring My Donation?

Materials may be donated during open hours at any of the Library’s 27 neighborhood branches and at the Lending Department (either building) at Main Library downtown.  No appointment is needed.

What Is Done With Donated Items?

Once donated, items become the property of Cleveland Public Library and are reviewed for possible inclusion in its collections. Unneeded materials may be sold (with proceeds going to the Cleveland Public Library Foundation to support Library programs), given away, recycled or discarded. Donated items will not be returned to the donor, and the library will only accept items that are outright gifts. The Library reserves the right to decide when a gift added to the collection must be withdrawn.

How Can I Request An Acknowledgment?

If you would like an acknowledgment letter from the Library for your donation, please let the staff person who receives your gift items know of your request.  Acknowledgment letters are generally mailed within four to eight weeks after the receipt of the donation and include only a count of items received by category (e.g., hardback, paperback, etc.). The Library does not provide inventories of items donated.

Does the Library Provide Appraisals?

If the items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is your responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The Library is unable to provide appraisals, fair market values, or inventories of the items donated. You may wish to make a list of items donated for personal or tax purposes.

Thank you for your support of Cleveland Public Library.