If you've ever tried to donate a stack of books to the Indian River County Library, you may have run into a familiar wall. The library accepts gently used books in good condition, but draws the line at textbooks, encyclopedias, and anything published more than five years ago. It's a reasonable policy for a library trying to keep its collection current, but it leaves a lot of perfectly readable books with nowhere to go.
The good news? Vero Beach has options, and your books don't have to end up in a landfill.
The Used Book Depot: Where Books Go to Do Good
Tucked into a small strip mall at 492 Old Dixie Highway, the Used Book Depot is one of Vero Beach's best-kept secrets. The store resells gently used books at rock-bottom prices, is staffed entirely by volunteers, and every single dollar of proceeds goes directly to support the Indian River County Library System.
The store is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those same hours apply for dropping off donations. The store also has a donation POD in its parking lot, giving you a convenient spot to drop off books without having to haul them inside. Just pull up, unload, and you're done.
The selection inside is surprisingly deep. Shoppers have raved about finding everything from mysteries and biographies to classics and antiques, with prices starting as low as $1. The shelves are kept well-organized, and the volunteer staff is genuinely knowledgeable, they'll even take your contact information and call you when a title you're looking for comes in.
It's worth knowing that the Friends of the Indian River County Library, the nonprofit behind the Used Book Depot, contributes significantly to the local library system. The Friends donate approximately $80,000 to the library each year through membership dues and proceeds from the Used Book Depot and the Library Friends Gift Shop. Every donation and every purchase adds up.
To reach the Used Book Depot directly, call (772) 562-2047.
Little Free Libraries: The Neighborhood Option
If your books are more casual reads, paperbacks, children's books, or titles you just want to pass along, Vero Beach's Little Free Library network is another great option. There are over 20 Little Free Libraries scattered throughout Vero Beach and Sebastian alone. You've probably spotted one without realizing what it was, those small wooden box structures near parks, gardens, and community spaces where anyone can take a book or leave one behind.
Local Little Free Libraries can be found at spots like McKee Botanical Garden, parks along 12th Street and 24th Avenue, and various neighborhood locations throughout the area. To find the one closest to you, visit the Little Free Library World Map at littlefreelibrary.org.
The Bottom Line
Your old textbooks, encyclopedias, and aging paperbacks aren't junk, they're just looking for the right home. The Used Book Depot will take what the library won't, put them back into community hands at prices anyone can afford, and funnel every cent back into the very library system you were trying to support in the first place. That's a pretty good deal for everyone involved.
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].
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