Material Donations

How to Donate Books and Other Items

The Hoover Public Library appreciates the thoughtfulness of its patrons who donate a variety of print and media materials to the Library. Items donated may be added to our collection, given to the Friends of the Hoover Library for their book sales. The Friends generously donate the proceeds from the sale of donated materials and books back to the Library to fund programming and to purchase new materials.

Because of limitations of space, money and staff, the Library reserves the right to accept or discard, at its discretion, any donated materials. Gifts of materials that are accepted by the Library become the absolute and unconditional property of the Library and cannot be returned to the donor for any reason.

The Library reserves the right to refuse any book or material donations that it deems to be not in the best interest of the Library to accept.

    • Books

    • DVDs

    • Vinyl Records

    • Puzzles

    • Music CDs

    • Materials in poor condition (damage, stains, mold, mildew or odors)

    • Torn pages or covers

    • Scratched or defective DVDs or CDs

    • Encyclopedias

    • Software

    • Manuals

    • Magazines, including National Geographic

    • Catalogs

    • Out-of-date reference books

    • Law case, statute and regulation books

    • Textbooks

    • Out-of-date travel books

    • VHS / cassettes / 8-track tapes

    • Audiobooks on cassette

    • Homemade recordings on any media

  • Please bring donations in small boxes or bags that can be easily carried. Library staff are not able to pick up donations from a person’s home and are unable to carry boxes into the library from vehicles. Donations of less than 1 small box can be brought to the Library's front desk during open hours.

    For donations larger than one small box, please deliver to the Administrative offices between the hours of 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
    If you have a large donation, defined as more than four (4) large boxes, please email us at hvcontact@hooverlibrary.org and put “Donation” in the subject line or call 205-444-7811 to schedule an appointment.

    At times, the Library will have to limit donations due to storage concerns.

  • Library staff cannot determine the value of a donation for IRS purposes. We will provide a form acknowledging the donation you made to the library.

  • Patrons who would like to make a donation in someone's memory or honor can send a check along with a letter stating the person's name for which the donation is being made, the amount donated, and any special book request to:

    Administration Department
    Hoover Public Library
    200 Municipal Drive
    Hoover, Alabama 35216

    The Library will purchase a book with the money and a book plate will be inserted into the book's front cover with the appropriate information. The Library will notify the family about the donation.