Free home pickup across the Chicago suburbs
Every book deserves another chapter.
Done with your books? Don't let them gather dust. We'll pick them up from your doorstep, free of charge, and give them a second life. Enter your ZIP code to see pickup dates in your neighborhood.
Takes about 2 minutes to schedule. Free for 3 boxes or more (about 60books). No account needed, and you don't even have to be home.
How it works
Three easy steps. No heavy lifting, no waiting around, no cost.
1. Box up your books
Pack books, movies, CDs, video games, and comics into boxes or sturdy bags (3 boxes or more). Keep each under 50 lbs.
2. Pick a date
Enter your ZIP code, choose from the pickup dates we already run in your neighborhood, and tell us where to find your boxes.
3. Set them out and we do the rest
Have everything outside by 8 AM on pickup day. Our driver collects between 8 AM and 8 PM. You don't need to be home.
What we accept
All genres and categories: fiction, non-fiction, children's books, old classics, new bestsellers, and more.
Yes, please!
- Books in every genre
- Children's books
- Textbooks
- Encyclopedias
- Movies (DVDs & Blu-rays)
- CDs
- Video games
- Comic books
Sorry, we can't take
- Moldy or water-damaged items
- Books with missing covers or pages
- Magazines & newspapers
- VHS & cassette tapes
Damaged items can spoil a whole truckload, so when in doubt, recycle them curbside instead.
Ready to clear those shelves?
See if we pick up in your neighborhood. Most of the Chicago suburbs are already on our routes.
Who we are
At Knowledge Exchange, our mission is simple: extend the life of every book.We're book people from the very communities we serve, and we partner with libraries, schools, and families across Chicagoland to rescue, redistribute, and rehome books that are no longer needed.
Every box we pick up helps give books a second life: sparking imaginations, uplifting communities, and keeping paper waste out of landfills. We work toward a future where fewer books are wasted and more readers have access to stories.
We're honest about what we are: a for-profit company with a sustainability mission. Rehoming always comes first. Books go back to readers through literacy charities like Bernie's Book Bank, schools, and community partners. Reselling a portion of what we collect is what keeps pickups free, and whatever can't find a reader is responsibly recycled.
Our process
- 1
We collect books from libraries, businesses, and homes across the suburbs.
- 2
We sort and evaluate every item at our Franklin Park warehouse to find its best new home.
- 3
We redistribute and rehome books where they're needed most, and recycle the rest responsibly.
Prefer to drop off?
You're always welcome at our warehouse:
11111 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131
Serving 61+ Chicago suburbs
From the North Shore to the Fox Valley, our trucks are already in your neighborhood on a regular schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pickup really free?+
Yes. There is no charge to have us collect your books and media from your home. Our first goal is rehoming: most of what we collect goes back to readers through literacy partners, schools, and community programs. Reselling a portion of the books is what keeps the service free, and anything that can't find a new reader is responsibly recycled.
Do I need to be home for the pickup?+
No. Just set your boxes out by 8:00 AM somewhere the driver can easily spot them. A covered porch or right in front of the garage is ideal. If rain or snow is in the forecast, keep the boxes under cover or drape a tarp over them so the books stay dry. Our driver will collect them any time between 8 AM and 8 PM.
What condition do the books need to be in?+
Books should be in reusable condition. We can't accept items that are moldy, water-damaged, or falling apart, because those can contaminate an entire truckload.
Can I get a tax deduction receipt?+
Knowledge Exchange is a for-profit book redistribution company, so we're unable to provide tax-deductible donation receipts. What we can promise is that your books get a genuine second life instead of a landfill.
What happens to my books after pickup?+
Everything comes back to our Franklin Park warehouse, where books are sorted and evaluated. Many are rehomed through literacy partners like Bernie's Book Bank, schools, and readers everywhere; the rest are responsibly recycled so nothing ends up in a landfill.
How should I pack everything?+
Use boxes or sturdy bags, and please don't leave loose books. Fill containers as full as you comfortably can, but keep each one under 50 pounds so our drivers can lift them safely.
What if it rains or snows on my pickup day?+
Chicago weather happens! Please cover your boxes with a tarp or plastic, or leave them somewhere dry and accessible like a covered porch or open garage.
Is there a minimum or maximum amount?+
Home pickups have a 3-box minimum (about 60 books), because that's what makes a free truck trip sustainable. There's no upper limit: clearing out a whole home library or an estate is exactly what we're built for. Have fewer than 3 boxes? Drop them off free at our Franklin Park warehouse, or ask your local library whether they're collecting for their next book sale.
We're a library, school, or nonprofit. Can you collect from us?+
Home pickups are designed for households. For libraries, schools (high school or college), thrift stores, and nonprofits, we set up proper partnerships instead: recurring collections, bins, and logistics sized to your volume. Visit kexchange.info or email contact@kexchange.info to start the conversation.
My ZIP code isn't served yet. What can I do?+
You can drop items off at our Franklin Park warehouse (11111 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, IL), or check with your local library's used-book program. We add new routes all the time, so please check back.
Do you take anything besides books?+
Yes. Movies (DVDs and Blu-rays), CDs, video games, and comic books are all welcome, in every genre and category. Encyclopedias are welcome too, even older sets.
Your books are ready for their next reader.
Schedule your free doorstep pickup today. It takes about two minutes.