Second Floor Book Sale
The Greensboro Free Library’s second-floor book sale is one of our most beloved and important fundraisers, and a favorite place for browsing, discovery, and unexpected finds.
Open year-round during library hours, the book sale offers books by donation for all ages while helping support library programs, services, and day-to-day operations. Every purchase directly benefits the library and the community.
What You’ll Find
Our book sale is thoughtfully curated and changes throughout the year. Book lovers can expect to find:
Fiction and nonfiction for adults
Children’s and young adult books
Cookbooks, gardening, nature, and local interest titles
Seasonal displays and themed sections
Occasional surprises and unique finds
Free homeschool books and learning materials
We refresh sections regularly, and many people make a habit of stopping in often. You never know what you’ll discover.
The book sale plays a meaningful role in supporting the library. Proceeds help fund:
Children’s and adult programming
Art exhibitions and community events
Technology upgrades and supplies
General operating costs that keep the library welcoming and accessible
We also host special book sale moments throughout the year, including a big Fourth of July sale, which has become a longtime community tradition and a major source of support for the library.
A Community Fundraiser
Donating Books
We’re grateful to everyone who thinks of the library when passing along books. To keep the book sale manageable and useful, we ask that all donations follow the guidelines below.
What We Accept
We welcome clean, gently used books in good condition, including:
Recent fiction and nonfiction
Children’s and young adult books
Cookbooks, gardening, nature, and local interest titles
Hardcover and paperback books with intact bindings
Small quantities are best. If you have a larger donation, please contact the library in advance.
What We Cannot Accept
We are not able to accept:
Moldy, mildewed, damp, or water-damaged books
Books with strong odors, stains, or excessive wear
Textbooks, encyclopedias, reference materials, or outdated manuals
Magazines, VHS tapes, CDs, or household items
Fiction or non-fiction books older than 10 years, especially selections with limited interest
For the health of the building and our volunteers, donations should not be left outside or dropped off after hours.
What Happens to Donated Books
Not every donated book is a good fit for the sale. Books that don’t meet our needs are responsibly recycled or donated through other sources.
If you are bringing books that are outdated, damaged, or unlikely to be resold, we kindly ask that you take them directly to Town Recycling rather than leaving them at the library. This helps us focus volunteer time and care on materials that can truly benefit the library.
Rare or Valuable Books
If you believe you have a rare or potentially valuable book, please contact us before donating. While we appreciate being considered, the library may not always be the best place to sell or manage high-value items in a way that maximizes their worth.
A Note on Other Donations
The library is not able to accept clothing, household goods, or miscellaneous items. The community Giving Closet at Town Hall may be a better option for those materials.
Thank You
Whether you’re browsing, buying, or donating thoughtfully, you’re helping sustain the Greensboro Free Library. The book sale is a shared effort, supported by volunteers, donors, and readers, and it plays a vital role in keeping the library active, welcoming, and responsive to community needs.
If you have questions about the book sale or donations, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
