Did you know you can safely recycle your batteries for free by taking them to 14 San Diego County Library branches?
That’s right, the library. It’s not just for books; it’s for batteries too!
Just bring them to the battery drop-off bins located inside the 14 branches. The libraries primarily collect standard alkaline batteries — Cs, Ds, AAs, AAAs, 9-volts, you name it. But they can also take rechargeable batteries; lithium batteries must be bagged separately.
Please tape positive end of batteries to reduce flammability and place batteries in a resealable bag.
Donated Materials Policy
The San Diego County Library is no longer accepting physical donations of materials for the collection, with the exception of items produced by local authors or musicians.
The Library purchases materials at steep discounts that come with labels, barcodes and covers, ready for customer use. It is more expensive to accept a donation and prepare it for circulation than it is for the Library to purchase a title that comes prepared by our vendors. If you would like to support the Library’s collection, we encourage you to donate funds for the purchase of physical and digital materials for our communities.
If you are looking for an organization to donate your books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, or magazines to, consider contacting one of the organizations below:
Your Branch Friends of the Library
Many branch Friends of the Library groups accept book donations for their book sales. Please check their websites or phone ahead to ensure that your donation can be accepted at this time. Items donated to the Friends of the Library are sold to support San Diego County Library branch collections and events.
Salvation Army (books, DVDs, CDs)
1-800-728-7825
Goodwill (books, DVDs, CDs)
1-800-GOODWILL
Amvets (books, DVDs, CDs)
877-990-8387
Vietnam Veterans of America (books, DVDs, CDs)
877-775-8387
Father Joe’s Villages (books, DVDs, CDs – limit 5 boxes):
1-800-HOMELESS
Kids Need to Read (like new kids’ books)
480-256-0115
Bridge to Asia (books)
510-665-3998
You can also recycle books and magazines in your recycle bins, particularly if they are damaged or outdated.