Book Donation Guide
Campus Move-Out Book Donations in Chicagoland: Students, Faculty & Departments
Every May, August, and December, Chicagoland campuses generate small mountains of perfectly good books. Most end up in dumpsters for one reason: nobody has a car big enough. Here's the better way.
How do students donate books at move-out?
Box everything up, from textbooks and course readers to novels, DVDs, and games, and schedule a free Knowledge Exchange pickup to any suburban address with 3+ boxes. Group up: one pickup for an apartment, floor, or house is the norm during move-out weeks. We plan routes around the academic calendar at campuses like Northwestern (Evanston), Elmhurst University, North Central College (Naperville), Wheaton College, Harper College (Palatine), College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn), and Lake Forest College.
What happens to donated textbooks?
Current editions are sold to students at a fraction of bookstore prices, which is real relief on one of college's biggest costs. Older editions live a second life as reference copies in underserved communities and through book programs beyond Chicagoland. Either way, nothing goes in a dumpster.
Can faculty donate their home libraries?
Yes. A retiring professor's personal collection at a home address is a perfect pickup: decades of academic books that deserve readers, collected in one morning. For department-owned or institution-owned collections, the right tool is a partnership instead. Knowledge Exchange runs ongoing collection programs for schools and colleges. Visit kexchange.info to set one up.
When should campus pickups be scheduled?
Book one to two weeks before finals week. May and June are the biggest window (spring move-out), followed by August (apartment turnover) and December (graduation). Routes fill up during these weeks. Daily pickup slots are capped, so early booking guarantees your date.
What if I only have one backpack of books?
Under 3 boxes, use a drop-off: Knowledge Exchange's warehouse (11111 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131) takes any amount, or ask whether your campus library runs a donation program. Or team up with housemates, since 3 boxes arrives fast when a whole apartment contributes.
Have 3 boxes or more?
See your neighborhood's pickup dates, free across the Chicago suburbs.