Our Story

Our little family LOVES books! We both were reading before the age of 4 and continue to devour a wide range of genres from homesteading, gardening, and aromatherapy to theology, Greek mythology, and African anthropology. We also have a large collection of cookbooks!

I've been a federal employee for the entirety of my career, primarily researching, reporting on, and conducting diplomacy on international human trafficking issues. These jobs have taken me around the world as YOUR representative, advocating that other governments better identify and protect trafficking victims and bring those exploiting them to justice.

The demands of this work have become increasingly unsustainable for a solo parent and do not allow me to be as present for my daughter as I'd like to be. When you give books and other media that you are no longer using to Pick Up My Old Books, you are not only clearing clutter from your life, but you’re help our family build a new life. We are SO grateful for you!

When we are not reading, you are likely to find us growing sprouts and microgreens in our kitchen, tending our ever-expanding gardens, cooking real foods from scratch, studying Latin and other classical school subjects, playing with our house rabbit, hanging out at the aerial gym, or foraging local edibles.

About Us

Welcome to Pick Up My Old Books! I'm Rachel, the proud owner of this family-run business. Our mission is simple: to provide a compassionate and reliable service to our community while giving books a second chance to be loved and appreciated.

Our Mission

At Pick Up My Old Books, we believe in sustainability, education, and the power of books to inspire minds. By donating your books, you’re not only keeping them out of landfills, but also helping to support teachers, students, and families who can benefit from them.

We offer a free book pick-up service—simply call us at (240) 358-1536 or fill out our Pick-Up Request Form to schedule a collection.

If you’re a teacher in need of books for your classroom, we’d love to help! Visit our Teacher Request Form to request books.

Join us in our mission to keep good books flowing through the community and knowledge growing in our minds.

Tell your friends, family, and children’s teachers—together, we can make a difference!

What We Value

  • Community: We believe in the power of connecting with others and giving back to our neighbors.

  • Sustainability: By recycling and repurposing books, we aim to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment.

  • Family: As a family-owned business, we’re dedicated to creating a legacy of kindness and hard work.

What We Value

We understand how difficult it can be to let go of books that hold cherished memories. That’s why we treat every donation with care and respect. Whether your books find new homes or are repurposed, they continue to make a difference in the world.

Thank You

Thank you for considering Pick Up My Old Books. Your trust means everything to us. We’re honored to help you give your books a new life while making a positive impact on our community.

woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch

Why Give Your Books to Us?

  • Preserve Their Legacy: We ensure your books are recycled, resold, or repurposed responsibly, keeping them out of landfills and getting them into the hands of people who will cherish them.

  • Free Pickup Service: Let us take the hassle out of finding a new home for your books. We'll come to you and handle everything - at no cost to you.

  • Support a Family Business: When you transition your books to us, you're supporting a family-owned operation that values hard work, integrity, and giving back to the community.

  • Strengthen Your Community: Your unused books will provide affordable reading materials to others and support literacy programs in our area.

books on shelf

Our Simple Process

  1. Contact Us: Fill out our easy online form or give us a call to schedule your free pickup.

  2. Prepare Your Books: Pack up your gently used books -- no matter the size of your collection.

  3. We Do the Rest: Our team will arrive on the scheduled day, collect your books, and ensure they're handled with care.

books on shelf
a camera and a cell phone sitting next to each other

We Gladly Accept

  • Fiction and non-fiction

  • Children's books

  • Cookbooks

  • Educational and reference books (excluding encyclopedias)

  • Textbooks

  • DVDs, CDs, and video games

  • Audio books

A Message from

Pick Up My Old Books

As a family-run business, we know the value of meaningful connections—both with people and with the books they love. That’s why we’re passionate about offering this free service to our community. Every book we pick up helps us support our family and contribute to local literacy initiatives.

We understand how hard it can be to say goodbye to beloved books. That’s why we treat every donation with respect and care, ensuring that your books continue to bring joy and knowledge to others.

man holding incandescent bulb
man holding incandescent bulb

Testimonials

Ready to Give Your Books?

Give your books the second life they deserve. Schedule your free pickup today and let us help you make a difference in our community.

Thank you for considering Pick Up My Old Books as the next chapter in your books' journey.

Together, we can honor their stories and share them with the world.

FAQs

Your Questions Answered: Quick Insights on Enhancing Your Book Sourcing Experience.

How does the book pickup service work?

You fill out the Book Pickup Request form and we will contact you and set up a day and time to pick up the books.

How much does this cost?

This service is 100% free to you. Your books deserve a second life and we recycle them through local book sales and online services.

What types of books do you accept?

We accept fiction, non-fiction, children's books, cookbooks, educational and reference books. We do not accept outdated encyclopedias.

Where do these books go that you pick up?

Great question! The books are picked up by our local partners who are family owned businesses in your local area. There are many ways that the books get distributed, including both online and offline. Many of our partners also run low-cost community book sales and also work with schools and other community agencies to give books back to the community.

How long in advance do I need to schedule my pickup?

The timeline varies depending on our schedule. Once you fill out the request form we will contact you and set a date.

What do I need to do before the book pickup?

You can box or bag the books and have them ready on your porch or driveway. We will let you know the approximate time that we will arrive and then load them into our vehicle.

I don't have a lot of books. Does that matter?

No, we are happy to pick up small or large quantities of books. After you fill in the form, we will contact you to determine the size of the pickup so we can plan our route accordingly.