Donor Library FAQs

Reading Seed photo

What is the Donor Library?

The Donor Library, located at Reading Seed’s offices on Silverlake Road, is full of clean, gently used children’s and young adult books. These books are for reading coaches, other literacy providers, teachers and librarians to give to the students they work with. Books are also given to many local organizations that encourage literacy in people of all ages.

How many free books can I give my students?
How often can I get books for my students?

Reading Coaches may give up to two free gently used books per week to each child you work with. Just stop by Reading Seed Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm and browse through the Donor Library for the right books for your students. Come often! New titles are added monthly!

What if the students don’t like the books I got them?

Bring back books that didn’t work and exchange them for other selections in the Donor Library. The Library Manager can help you select books for your students. Call ahead to find out when she is available.

Where does Reading Seed get the books it gives away?

Reading Seed receives most of our Donor Library books from Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona. However, we also receive books from other organizations and individuals. The books are screened for general appropriateness and cleaned before being given away.

Can I donate children’s books to Reading Seed?
Can I donate adult books to Reading Seed?

Reading Seed is always accepting gently used children’s, young adult and adult books. Children’s and young adult books are added to our Lending Library or our Donor Library. Adult books are given to other local organizations who have requested books from us. Call Reading Seed at 798-0700 for additional information or stop by Reading Seed with your books! We are located at 1920 E Silverlake Road, #207 in Tucson. Unfortunately, we cannot accept encyclopedia sets published prior to 2002.

How can I get free books for my organization?

Reading Seed gave away over 16,000 books last year! Contact the Library Manager if your organization would like to receive some gently used books. We will do our best to honor your request. First priority is given to adults and children who otherwise would not have books in their homes. Call us at 798-0700 for additional information.

At first I would ask my student if she had read at home and she would hang her head and say no.  She began reading extra books when I told her that if she could read them, she could keep them.  She took her first book home and read it to her kindergarten-age sister.  Since that sister loved it, she read it to her older sister as well. I think she’s up to reading 11 books at different times to different family members. She is loving reading. Now THAT is amazing! — Jo Ann Sawyer-Roof, Reading Coach at Harelson Elementary