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National Donate a Book Day

Spread the joy of reading on National Donate a Book Day by donating your favorite books to those in need! Let's make a difference, one book at a time.

Wednesday

April 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEApril 14

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPhilanthropy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to spread the joy of reading on National Donate a Book Day, celebrated on April 14! This day was created to encourage people to donate books to those in need and promote literacy around the world. Did you know that the first book donation program was started in the United States in the late 19th century by Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System? Since then, this day has been celebrated annually as a way to give back and share the gift of knowledge with others. So gather up your gently used books and make someone's day brighter by donating them on this special holiday!

TIMELINE

National Donate a Book Day Timeline

American Library Association Formation

The American Library Association (ALA) was founded to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services.

First Book Donation Program

Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System, started the first book donation program in the United States.

Civil Rights Act & Public Libraries

The Civil Rights Act brought public libraries to the forefront as a resource for all, necessitating more book donations to supply growing demand.

First Book Organization Expansion

Nonprofit organization First Book expanded nationwide, promoting equal access to education through book donations.

Digital era Book Donations

With the rise of eBooks and digital reading, physical book donations became a more focused effort to reach areas without digital access.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Donate a Book Day

Host a book swap party

Invite friends and family over for a book swap party! Everyone can bring books they no longer want and trade with others. This is a great way to refresh your reading collection and promote the spirit of giving on National Donate a Book Day.

DONATE

Donate books to a local library or school

Contact your local library or school to see if they are accepting book donations. This is a great way to give back to your community and support literacy.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer at a book drive or book donation event

Find out if there are any book drives or book donation events happening in your area on National Donate a Book Day. Offer to volunteer and help collect, sort, and distribute donated books.

ORGANIZE

Organize a book donation campaign

Start a book donation campaign in your community or workplace. Encourage others to donate books and spread awareness about the importance of reading and donating books.

READ

Read to children or seniors

Visit a local children's hospital, senior center, or retirement home and read books to the patients or residents. This is a heartwarming way to celebrate National Donate a Book Day and bring joy to others through the power of reading.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Donate a Book Day is Important

It encourages generosity and community involvement

Donating a book is a simple act of giving that can make a big difference. It allows individuals to come together as a community and support a common cause - promoting literacy and education for all. National Donate a Book Day brings attention to the importance of giving back and being involved in your community.

It promotes literacy and education

By donating a book, you are helping to provide access to literature and resources for those who may not have it. This can have a great impact on promoting reading and knowledge among individuals, which is important for personal growth and development.

Books can be expensive

For some families or individuals, purchasing books may not be feasible due to financial constraints. National Donate a Book Day provides an opportunity to give the gift of books to those who may not have access otherwise. This can help promote equity in education and enhance opportunities for learning.