National Donate a Book Day (April 14th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every April 14th
Tagged as:	Books & Literature Items & Things
What's the hashtag?	#NationalDonateaBookDay
When was it founded?	2011
Who founded it?	Book-of-the-Month Club
We first published this page on:	Apr 26th, 2025
We last updated this page:	Apr 26th, 2025

Contents

Books open doors to new worlds, and National Donate a Book Day invites everyone to share that magic. It’s a special moment when readers become givers, turning their gently loved stories into gifts for others. Shelves at schools, shelters, hospitals, and libraries often long for fresh titles.

A simple donation can spark joy in someone who needs comfort, escape, or hope. When we give books, we pass along more than just paper and ink—we share inspiration, imagination, and connection.

This day reminds us that one book can change a life. Maybe it’s the first time a child sees themselves in a character. Maybe it’s the only quiet escape a teenager finds all week. Or maybe it’s a moment of peace in a busy adult’s day.

Every donated story carries a heartbeat, a message, and a chance to make someone feel seen. So while the world scrolls fast, this act stays powerful—one person, one book, one bright ripple at a time.

How to Celebrate National Donate a Book Day

Share the Stories You Love

Choose a few books from your home library and give them to a local shelter or community center. Pass along tales that once moved you.

Someone else might need that very spark right now. Avoid donating damaged or scribbled pages—make it a gift worth opening.

Involve Your Workplace

Ask colleagues to bring a book and create a donation basket in your office. Many employees will appreciate the chance to contribute without going far. Deliver the collection to a local hospital, school, or women’s shelter once the box fills up.

Start a Mini Library

Set up a small book-sharing box in your neighborhood or apartment lobby. Fill it with stories for all ages. Encourage friends or neighbors to take one and leave one.

These little libraries build community and encourage reading in a quiet, beautiful way.

Encourage Kids to Join

Invite children to pick a few books they’ve outgrown and explain how others might love them next. This teaches kindness, empathy, and sharing through something familiar.

Kids feel proud when they give with purpose.

Support Local Drives

Look up local bookstores, nonprofits, or libraries hosting donation events. Many offer drop-off points or organize book fairs that support underfunded schools.

Participate with friends or family and spread the word online to inspire others.

History of National Donate a Book Day

National Donate a Book Day began in 2011 as a simple but powerful idea. The Book-of-the-Month Club introduced it, teaming up with the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association.

They wanted to encourage people everywhere to donate books to schools, libraries, shelters, and other community spaces. The idea grew from the belief that reading should be available to everyone, no matter their situation or income.

From the start, the mission focused on spreading joy, learning, and opportunity through stories. Donating a book doesn’t just clear space on a shelf—it shares knowledge and inspires someone else’s journey.

People across the country joined the movement, giving away books they loved or no longer needed. Some chose to support small libraries. Others reached out to hospitals, daycares, or nonprofit organizations.

Over the years, the day has helped increase access to reading in underserved areas. It also reminds us that literacy is a gift meant to be shared, not stored away. Thanks to everyday readers, this initiative keeps growing and bringing books into more hands, one donation at a time.

See what else is happening…

There’s always more going on every month at Days Of The Year. Here are our favorites this month!

National Donate a Book Day