Free Books Near Me: where to find free physical books locally

Looking for your next read without spending a penny? You're in luck. Across the UK, USA, and many other countries, thousands of books find new homes every single day, completely free, using a variety of apps, websites and local libraries. Whether you need children's books for bedtime stories or want to build your own home library, free books are easier to find than you might think.

This guide focuses on physical books you can keep by using libraries, charities, book exchanges, community groups, and free sharing apps. Countless books are available for free if you know where to look.

Libraries: A Reliable Source of Free Books

Your local library isn't just for borrowing. Many libraries regularly give books away when they update stock, replace editions, or refresh materials for children's programmes. These are yours to keep, not loan.

You'll often find free books through:

• Giveaway tables near library entrances (check every time you visit)
• Children's reading scheme hand-outs from summer reading challenges or story time events
• End-of-year clear-outs when libraries make room for new acquisitions (typically autumn)

Library giveaways typically include children's books, paperbacks, and non-fiction titles in good condition. Ask library staff when they typically refresh their collections. Many do this seasonally, and getting there early means better selection. You may also be able to sign up for library email newsletters to receive notifications about free books.

Charities and Nonprofits That Give Away Books

Many charities and nonprofit organisations give books away as part of their mission to support literacy, education, and families. These programmes focus on access to reading rather than selling books, which means they're genuinely free.

UK literacy charities that give books to children and families

• BookTrust runs national reading programmes and provides free book packs to families across the UK, often distributed through health visitors and children's centre.
• Children's Book Project sends surplus children's books to families and schools who need them most. Check with your local school or family support centre about accessing their books.
• Book Aid International supports libraries and access to reading through donated books, particularly in underserved communities.
• UK charity shops like Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, and Sue Ryder sometimes give away damaged or overstocked books for free. It's always worth asking if they have any available.

USA literacy nonprofits and programmes

• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library posts a free book each month to young children registered in participating areas. Check their website to see if your community is enrolled.
• First Book runs large-scale book distribution through schools and nonprofits, reaching families who wouldn't otherwise have access to new books.
• National Book Foundation organizes free book giveaway events through community partners across the country.

Canadian programmes

• TD Summer Reading Club distributes free books through public libraries across Canada each summer.
• The Canadian Children's Book Centre partners with local organisations to provide free books to children and families.

These organisations often work with local schools, libraries, and councils, so availability varies by area. Contact your local library or school office to find out which programmes operate near you.

Community Book Exchanges

Community book exchanges are one of the simplest ways to pick up free books locally. These shared shelves and book boxes work on trust. Anyone can take a book, no sign-up required.

The best-known example is Little Free Library, which has thousands of small neighbourhood boxes across the UK and USA. The concept is straightforward: take a book, leave a book (though leaving one isn't required if you don't have one to share).

Finding a Little Free Library near you: Use their interactive map. You can search by postcode or zip code to see every registered box in your area. Some neighborhoods have several within walking distance.

You'll also find informal book exchanges in:

• Community centres and libraries
• Cafés, doctor's waiting rooms, and laundromats
• Schools, university buildings, and shared housing
• Workplace break rooms

Book exchange etiquette: It really is okay to just take a book without leaving one. These exchanges exist to share reading materials with the community. If you have books to pass on later, you can always return the favor and pass on the one you’ve taken after you’ve read it.

Free Stuff Apps and Local Sharing Networks

Free stuff and reuse apps are one of the fastest ways to find physical books being given away nearby. When people declutter or move house, books are often among the first items they offer, frequently in boxes or bundles of 20, 50, or even 100+ books.

Using a local sharing app allows you to:

• See nearby book listings in real time
• Message the person giving the books away
• Arrange collection at a convenient time
• Specify what types of books you're looking for

Trash Nothing connects local reuse communities in one place, making it easier to find free book listings without checking multiple groups. With millions of members, new items appear constantly, and you can set up notifications specifically for books.

Pro Tip: Set up alerts on Trash Nothing for "books" in your area. People often give away entire collections when moving house. You could score 20-50 books in one pickup.

Other platforms worth checking:

• Facebook groups (Buy Nothing groups, local community selling groups)
• Nextdoor for neighbourhood-specific offers
• Freecycle for local reuse networks
• Olio, which focuses on sharing in local communities

Quick Start: Get Free Books Today

Want free books as soon as possible? Here's your fastest route:

1. Check your local library for giveaway tables and clear-out events
2. Search Little Free Library's map for boxes near you
3. Sign up for Trash Nothing or similar free stuff apps
4. Set alerts for "books" to see new listings immediately
5. Post a request specifying genres or types you're looking for

Most people find books within days using these methods.

BookCrossing: A Book-Sharing Adventure

BookCrossing is less about reliably finding free books and more about being part of a global book-sharing community. If you enjoy the idea of books traveling the world and want to participate in something unique, it's worth exploring.

Check BookCrossing's "Go Hunting" feature to see recently released books near you. The site shows locations where books have been left. You can also look for Official BookCrossing Zones in cafés, libraries, and bookshops where books are regularly exchanged.

Only 15-20% of released books ever get logged by finders, so hunting for BookCrossing books can be hit-or-miss. It works best in areas with active communities. Think of it as a fun treasure hunt rather than a reliable way to stock your shelves. The real appeal is the adventure and connection, not the volume of free books you'll find.

When to Look for Free Books

Timing matters. Certain times of year see more books being given away:

May-June: End of school year clear-outs from schools, universities, and families whose children have outgrown books.

August-September: Students moving to university or returning home often offload textbooks and leisure reading.

January: New Year decluttering means more donations and giveaways.

September-October: Libraries often refresh stock when new budgets begin.

Moving season (spring/summer): House moves generate the most book donations, as books are heavy and take up valuable packing space.

Community events like jumble sales, church fetes, and neighbourhood garage sales also frequently feature free book tables, especially towards the end of the day when organizers want to avoid taking items home.

What Types of Books Are Most Often Free?

Across libraries, charities, and sharing networks, the most commonly available free books are:

• Children's and picture books
• Fiction paperbacks (especially popular genres like romance, crime, thrillers)
• Cookbooks
• Self-help and lifestyle titles
• Older textbooks and study guides
• Travel guides (often outdated but still useful for history and culture)

Hardbacks and specialist academic books are less common but do appear during larger clear-outs, house moves, estate sales, or when professionals retire and donate their libraries.

Free Children's Books

Children's books are one of the easiest types of books to find for free. Kids outgrow books quickly, which means families, schools, and charities regularly pass them on in excellent condition.

Many free children's book programmes focus on early reading skills, providing books directly to families, sometimes by post and sometimes through schools or libraries.

Major Children's Book programmes (UK & USA)

• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sends a free physical book each month to children aged 0–5 in participating areas across the UK, USA, and Canada. Registration is free where available.
• First Book (USA) distributes free books to children through schools, community groups, and family-support programmes, particularly in low-income areas.
• BookTrust (UK) runs Bookstart and other schemes that give free books to babies, toddlers, and primary-age children throughout the UK, usually distributed through health visitors at key developmental stages.

Children's books are also commonly available through:

• Primary schools and nurseries (end-of-year clear-outs)
• Health visitors and early-years services
• Library reading challenges and summer programmes
• Children's centre and family hubs

Parents may also find our How to Get Free Baby Stuff guide useful, which covers early-years support and family programmes in more detail.

Other Places to Find Free Books

Beyond the main sources listed above, keep an eye out for:

• Author and publisher giveaways: Platforms like Goodreads regularly run book giveaway competitions. Publishers also give away advance review copies through NetGalley and similar services.
• Bookshops and second-hand stores: Independent bookshops and charity book stores occasionally offer free books during clear-outs or when they receive donations they can't sell.
• University notice boards: At the end of term, especially in May and June, students offload textbooks and leisure reading they no longer need.
• Estate sales and house clearances: When families clear out homes, books are often given away free at the end of the sale rather than being disposed of.
• Community centres and places of worship: Many run book swaps, jumble sales, or simply have "free table" areas.

Why Getting Free Books Matters

Finding free books isn't just about saving money, though that's certainly valuable, given that UK households spent £4.27 billion on books in 2023 (Office for National Statistics) and US households averaged $34.55 per year (Statista).

Environmental impact

The publishing industry has a significant environmental footprint. Each year, more than 160,000 truckloads of unread books are wasted (Words Rated), and 10 million trees are used to produce books that are eventually destroyed rather than read.

Paper makes up 26% of landfill waste worldwide (Chicago Review of Books), and in the United States alone, 110 million metric tons of paper and cardboard waste (including books) are discarded annually, with 56% ending up in landfills (NREL/Department of Energy).

When you accept and give away books, you keep them in circulation, reduce demand for new printing, and prevent them from ending up in landfills, where they contribute to methane emissions and waste.

Building community

Free book networks connect neighbours who share a love of reading. They create opportunities for conversations about favourite authors, book recommendations, and community bonds. Many people form genuine friendships through book exchanges and local reuse groups.

Teaching values

When children see you collecting free books or passing on finished reads, they learn valuable lessons about sharing, sustainability, and community. It normalizes reuse and shows that books can have multiple lives beyond one reader.

Accessibility

Free book networks make reading accessible to all households regardless of income. Access to books shouldn't depend on financial circumstances. These networks help ensure everyone can enjoy literature, education, and the pleasure of reading.

As you finish books, consider passing them on through the same networks that helped you. Free book economies work because people give back, keeping books in circulation, helping other readers, and reducing the environmental impact of book waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can I get free books near me?
  Local libraries, charities, schools, community book exchanges (like Little Free Library), and free sharing apps like Trash Nothing are all great places to find free books nearby. Setting up alerts on sharing apps and checking library giveaway tables regularly will give you the best selection.

• Can I really keep free books from libraries or charities?
  Yes. These are ownership giveaways, not loans. They're usually offered during clear-outs, reading programmes, or when organisations refresh their stock. Once you take them, they're yours.

• Are free books usually in good condition?
  Most are lightly used and given away because of a lack of space rather than damage. People tend to keep books in reasonable condition, and damaged books are usually thrown away rather than donated. Always check for missing pages or excessive wear, but most free books are perfectly usable.

• Where can I get free children's books?
  Children's books are commonly available through libraries, schools, early-years programmes, and charities such as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and BookTrust. They're also frequently listed on free-stuff apps, particularly during May-June, when children outgrow their reading levels.

• Are free books safe to use?
  Yes, free books are safe to use. If you're particularly concerned about allergens or bed bugs (rare but possible with any second-hand items), place books in a sealed bag for 48 hours or wipe covers with a damp cloth and allow them to air out. Check the spine and pages for damage or loose binding. The vast majority of free books are given away simply because someone's shelves are full. They're in the same condition as books you'd buy second-hand.