Collecting Books for a Home Library

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Whether you are collecting books for a home library or just trying to establish a good book collection for your children, here are some tips for finding affordable books.

 

I’m having a lot of fun creating our home library. The space where our library will be is just about ready. Although I’m sure I will be adding more bookshelves at some point and I’m always looking for more books to add to our collection.

When I started researching ways to find affordable books, I was surprised that there really wasn’t a lot out there. I was hoping to find a list of ideas, but most of the information I found were just about decorating or arranging a library. Which seemed crazy because what is a library without books!

So, I took things into my own hands and after researching for a while I created my own list. Here are some ways our family has and will continue to collect books, the most important part of a library!

Thrift Store: This includes all types, such as a used bookstores and then your regular thrift or second hand stores. I know our area children’s resale shop always has great deals on books. Most of the time the books are in great condition, the children just out grew them.

Family Members: Ask your family if they have some books they would like to get rid of in their collection. Both my mom and my mother-in- law had books that they had held onto through several moves that were mine and my husband’s as kids. Now they are part of Eli’s collection.

Yard/ Estate Sales: I have scored a lot of books for my husband and me this way. We have found several informative books for our different hobbies and even some cookbooks.

Book Fairs: Every so often we get the option to buy books for our son through his school book fair. The books are very reasonable, and it benefits his school in return.

Library Sales: Keep an eye out at your local library for book sales. I was able to add a few classics to our collection this way.

Gifts: When people are wondering what you or your family wants for Christmas or Birthday, asking for books is a great option. You are giving them the chance to give a gift that will last years and years, and I think most people want to give a gift like that.

Clubs and Reading Programs: There are several ways to get books for free! I know my son has benefited from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and there are several programs like that. You can find a more detailed list here.

Amazon: One of the first times we ever used Amazon was to buy used books. Now we use it for just about everything, but it still remains a great place to get cheap used books. A lot of times the books are basically brand new, and we have even gotten some for less than a dollar!

I hope you will find these ideas helpful in collecting books for your family. Be sure to check out my other tips on creating a home library.

I would love to hear if you have any other ways of collecting affordable books?