Friends of the Palo Alto Library

Donate

FOPAL ANNUAL APPEAL

Friends of the Palo Alto Library’s annual grants to the Library are essential.

Make a tax-deductible gift to FOPAL, and ensure the Library’s ongoing ability to enhance its lending collection and to offer all the wonderful programs and events that enrich our community.

LEARN MORE

Donate your Books, Comics, Music, DVDs, Games, Puzzles & Software to support Palo Alto City Libraries!

At our monthly book sales, FOPAL finds new readers for/users of your donated items and contributes the net proceeds to purchase new materials, technology, and furniture for Palo Alto libraries.

WHAT WE ACCEPT
LARGE DONATION
LOCAL PICKUP
Drop-off Donation
Hours
M-F3-5PM
SAT1-5PM

Up to 12 Boxes/Bags
No Appointment needed

NO DONATIONS ACCEPTED:
DEC. 7-14, 25, JAN 1, 4-11, 19

LOCATION

Cubberley Community Center
Main Room
4000 Middlefield Road,
Palo Alto, CA

DIRECTIONS
4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, 94303

Driving Directions to FOPAL’s Main Room:

  1. From Middlefield Rd, turn into the NORTH entrance of Cubberley Community Center (next to Charleston Shopping Center/Piazza’s)
  2. Follow one-way arrows through the parking lot to the rear of the campus, near the tennis courts
  3. The Main Room is the portable building next to the tennis courts
  4. To drop off donations, you can park close to the entrance, near the ramp on the RIGHT side of the portable
drop-off appointment

Donation LARGER than 12 boxes/bags?

Or can’t make our regular donation drop-off hours?

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

EMAIL volunteerdir@fopal.org OR CALL (650) 308-8469, to leave a message to set up an appointment

EMAIL US

Make an appointment with our volunteers for pickup of 7+ bags/boxes.

PICKUP LOCATIONS:
Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Stanford, Atherton, Woodside, or Mountain View, CA.

NOTE: Pickups are dependent on volunteer and vehicle availability.

requirements
  • Lead time (week or more)
  • Manageable Box Weight/Size*
  • Nearby place to park while loading
  • Clear path in/out without a lot of stairs/obstructions
REQUEST PICKUP

*(such as 10″ x 12″ x 15″ banker/file boxes or copier paper boxes) – We have flattened empty banker/file boxes available for you, just ask!

  • Books
  • Comic Books
  • Graphic Novels
  • Textbooks
  • Computer Books
  • CDs
  • DVDs, Blu-ray, 4K
  • Records/Vinyl (45s, 78s, LPs)
  • Software & Manuals
  • Puzzles
  • Games
  • Toys
  • Cameras
  • Tools: hand and power tools – must be in working condition, small enough for one person to easily carry (i.e. no table saws)

  • Ephemera
  • Tarot Decks
  • Postcards (unused or mailed)
  • Greeting Cards (blank)
  • Vintage Black & White Photos
  • Maps 
  • Sheet Music
  • Magazines
  • Globes (Earth, Middle Earth, Moon, Mars, Constellation, Barsoom, etc.)
  • Small collectibles (figurines, bookends, souvenirs, clocks, watches, etc.) – These must be unbroken and in working condition

NOT SURE if your magazines, collectables, or other items fit the bill?  Email volunteerdir@fopal.org

EMAIL US
  • Soiled, moldy, water-damaged, or partial books
  • Encyclopedias
  • Videotapes or Cassette Tapes
  • Newspapers
  • Legal statutes or codes
  • Blank photo albums
  • Art
  • Electronics
  • Home copied/burned or non-commercially recorded audiovisual materials
  • Large items, such as furniture, lamps, suitcases, etc.
  • Clothing or linens
  • Sports equipment

If you would NOT give it to a friend, please DON’T give it to the Friends!

FOPAL has contributed millions of dollars to Palo Alto City Libraries through your donations.

Make a one-time or recurring monetary donation to support Palo Alto Libraries.

DONATE NOW

Your donations are tax-deductible. Be sure to ask one of the volunteers for a receipt.

FOPAL is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation. Our Federal Tax ID No. is 94-6138777.