How to Downsize Your Book Collection

Downsizing your book collection frees up shelf space, makes moving easier, and helps you keep the books you actually want to read. Start by removing books that are outdated, damaged, duplicated, or no longer interest you. Then decide what to keep and what to donate, sell, give away, recycle, or discard. If you love a particular book but don’t need a physical copy, consider replacing it with an eBook. 

Key takeaways 

• Remove outdated textbooks, travel guides, technology books, test-prep books and other reference materials that are no longer useful.  
• Look for duplicate copies and keep the edition you prefer.  
• Let go of books that no longer match your interests or reading habits.  
• Review older books by asking whether you’ve read them, plan to read them, or have a sentimental reason for keeping them.  
• Consider replacing books you rarely use with digital versions.  
• Donate or give away books that are still in good condition.  
• Sell valuable, collectible, or popular books rather than automatically donating them. 
• Recycle books that are too outdated or damaged to reuse, according to your local recycling rules.  

Find the useless books 

Some books don’t really have a purpose. Outdated textbooks, old guidebooks, and outdated farmers’ almanacs don’t have a use to anyone once they are past their prime. These books should go first. Here’s a full list of “useless” books you can cull from your home: 

• Outdated textbooks, especially books covering old technology, software, laws, medical information or other subjects that have changed significantly  
• Old computer and technology books like programming, operating systems and software guides can become obsolete quickly  
• Outdated test-prep books such as old SAT, ACT, GRE and other exam-preparation books may no longer match current tests  
• Old travel guides on restaurants, hotels, attractions, and transportation information can become outdated  
• Old phone books and directories are rarely useful now that contact information is available online  
• Old encyclopedias, since printed reference information can become outdated, and complete sets take up a lot of space  
• Old dictionaries and reference books that are particularly damaged or outdated editions  
• Used workbooks, especially those filled with answers, notes or completed exercises  
• Outdated business books about old marketing strategies, software or business practices may have limited usefulness  
• Old manuals and instruction books, especially for appliances, electronics or software you no longer own
• Damaged books with severe water damage, mold, missing pages or other damage that makes them unusable  

Once you’ve got a pile of useless books, you can throw them away. A better option is to recycle them. Check your local recycling rules. Many recycling programs accept paperback books and some hardcover books, but requirements vary.  

Books with mold, heavy water damage, plastic coatings or other materials may need different disposal. If a book is still usable, donating or giving it away is generally preferable to recycling it. 

Look for duplicates 

Sometimes you go shopping and buy a book. Then you get home and realize you already have one. If you’re very forgetful, this can happen a lot. Look through your collection for any duplicate copies.  

Find the books from the old you 

Over time, our tastes change. A genre that you may have adored ten years ago may bore you now. Look for the books you’ve outgrown, or that just don’t interest you anymore, and let them go. 

Target the oldies 

Grab all of the books you’ve had for years and ask yourself these questions: 

• Did I read this? Did I like it?
• Will I ever read it? 
• Does it have sentimental value? 
• Why am I keeping it? 

These questions should help you sort through the pile and decide which books are worth your shelf space and which ones need a new home. 

Trade the book for digital 

If you decide you love a book but really don’t have room for it, you can always download the eBook version. It takes up no space, but you can revisit the book whenever you want. 

You don’t need an expensive e-reader to read your digital books. You can download e-reader apps on your phone, tablet, or computer. 

What do you do with books you don’t want? 

Now that you have a pile of books you no longer want, it’s time to move them out of your home. Here are some options: 

• Donate to a library: Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or fundraising book sales
• Give them to a school: Schools and teachers may need children’s books, educational materials, and classroom reading.  
• Donate to a charity: Thrift stores, shelters, jails, and community organizations often accept books in good condition.  
• Give them to friends or family: Pass along books that someone you know might enjoy or find useful.  
• Use a Little Free Library: Leave gently used books at a neighborhood book-sharing box.  
• Sell them online: List valuable, popular, or collectible books on online marketplaces.  
• Sell them to a used bookstore: Local bookstores may offer cash or store credit for books they want to resell.  
• Donate textbooks: Schools, community organizations, and educational programs may accept newer textbooks.  
• Host a book swap: Invite friends, neighbors, or coworkers to exchange books they no longer want.  
• Donate to a nursing home or senior center: These organizations may accept large-print books, novels, magazines, and other reading materials.  
• Give books to a hospital or waiting room: Some facilities accept books for patients and visitors, but check their donation policies first.  
• Repurpose damaged books: Turn books you can’t donate into craft projects, decorations, or other DIY items.  
• Recycle them: Books that are too outdated or damaged to reuse may be recyclable. Check your local recycling rules before putting them in the bin.  
• Throw away contaminated books: Books with mold, severe water damage or other contamination may need to go in the trash rather than being donated or recycled. 

Book collection downsizing FAQ 

How many books should you keep when downsizing? 

There is no set number of books you should keep. Focus on keeping books you enjoy, regularly use or have meaningful sentimental value. Your available shelf space can also help determine how large your collection should be. 

How do you decide which books to get rid of? 

Start with books that are outdated, damaged, duplicated, or unlikely to be read again. For books you’re unsure about, ask yourself whether you would buy the book again today, whether you plan to read it, and whether it has sentimental value. 

Should I keep books I haven’t read yet? 

Consider how likely you are to actually read them. If you’ve owned a book for years without opening it, it may be a good candidate for donation or resale. If you genuinely still want to read it, keep it or consider getting a digital copy instead. 

What should I do with valuable books? 

Research potentially valuable books before giving them away or recycling them. First editions, signed copies, rare books, and collectible editions may have resale value. Compare prices for similar copies before deciding what to do with them. 

Should I keep sentimental books? 

Yes, if the book has meaningful personal or family value. You don’t have to eliminate every book that you don’t read. If you have many sentimental books, choose the ones that mean the most to you, and consider taking photos of covers or inscriptions for books you decide to let go. 

Can you recycle hardcover books? 

It depends on your local recycling program. Some programs accept hardcover books, while others require you to remove the covers first. Check your local recycling guidelines before putting hardcover books in your recycling bin. 

What should I do with books that nobody wants? 

Books that are too outdated or damaged to donate may be recyclable. Books with mold or severe contamination may need to be thrown away. Before discarding a usable book, consider offering it through a community book exchange, giving it to someone who might want it, or repurposing it for a craft project. 

How do you downsize books when moving? 

Start downsizing well before moving day. Sort books into keep, sell, donate, give away, recycle and discard piles. Pack the books you’re keeping in small boxes because books become extremely heavy when packed together in large boxes. Label each box so you can easily find your collection after the move. 

Is it better to keep physical books or switch to eBooks? 

It depends on how you use your books. Physical books can be valuable for collectors and may have sentimental appeal, while eBooks take up virtually no physical space. Switching frequently reread books or reference materials to digital versions can help reduce the size of your physical collection.