Last verified October 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
Donate Textbooks at the End of the Semester: A Guide for UNM Students
End-of-semester crunch hits hard. Your textbooks are gathering dust, your dorm room is overflowing, and you're staring at a pile of books you'll never open again. UNM or CNM student clearing shelves before moving out, or just tired of hauling heavy textbooks around — you've got options beyond throwing them in the dumpster or leaving them at the curb.
Why Textbooks Deserve Better Than the Trash
Those highlighted and dog-eared textbooks? Someone else can use them. That outdated edition you bought last semester? Still welcome. And the current edition you finished last week is exactly what the next class is looking for. Every book you donate keeps weight off the moving truck and keeps materials circulating instead of filling a landfill.
A 24/7 Drop Box That Fits a Student Schedule
New Mexico Literacy Project sits on Edith Blvd NE near Montaño, in the North Valley. I operate a 24/7 book drop box at:
5445 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Open 24/7 for book drop-offs: a covered, waterproof box outside the gate near the road. Call or text me at 505-250-3804 for questions, large donations, or a full box; someone is at the warehouse 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day to help unload.
No waiting for office hours. No scheduling appointments. Drop by midnight before your move-out, or swing by on a Sunday afternoon—I'm open around the clock.
What I Accept From College Students
- Textbooks — any edition, any condition (yes, even the ones you highlighted)
- This semester’s editions and program texts — the nursing pharmacology book, pre-med and engineering hardcovers still on the syllabus, computer science, business and accounting texts, law casebooks and bar-prep outlines. These are especially welcome.
- Lab manuals, loose-leaf editions, and books without their access codes — filled-in or not
- Novels and general reading books — fiction, non-fiction, whatever's on your shelf
- Study guides and reference materials — test prep, workbooks, exam notes
- Notebooks with printed material — workbooks, composition books, bound notes
- DVDs and CDs — educational media, documentaries, music
Don't worry about whether a book is "good enough." Outdated editions? No problem. Annotated margins? Still welcome. Highlighting throughout? I process it anyway. The point is circulation, not pristine condition.
Free Pickup for Bulk Donations
Clearing out an entire study group's textbooks? Helping your department dispose of surplus materials? For large donations, I offer free pickup anywhere in the Albuquerque metro. Call or text 505-250-3804 and I’ll fit you into a route.
Children's Books Find New Homes
If you're donating children's books, they go directly to local families at no cost. I believe young readers shouldn't be priced out of stories.
Moving Out of Albuquerque? I Can Help
Graduating and leaving ABQ? Books are heavy, and they take up space in moving boxes. Donating is the easiest way to lighten your load before a cross-country move. Drop off your books at my 24/7 box, or call for pickup if you've got a whole dorm room to clear. You'll save money on movers and avoid repacking the same textbooks next semester.
I've Sorted 500,000+ Pounds of Books
I put usable books back into the community through resale and free giveaways. Every donation—no matter the size—gets sorted by hand and processed to reach readers who need it.
More Resources for Your Donation Needs
Interested in learning more about book donation options in Albuquerque? Check out my related guides:
- 24/7 Book Drop-Off Locations in Albuquerque
- Free Book Pickup Service in Albuquerque
- How to Donate Textbooks in Albuquerque
- UNM Textbook Donations — Campus-Specific Guide
- End-of-Semester Textbook Guide for UNM & CNM Students
- What to Do With Books When Moving Out of Albuquerque
- Donating Books After Moving: A How-To Guide