Library Book Removal Made Easier

Removing withdrawn books can be time-consuming for library staff.

Books must often be boxed, stored, moved, and transported while employees continue serving patrons and managing normal library operations. Bulk Book Warehouse helps simplify that process by providing qualifying libraries with scheduled pickup service.

Our team regularly works with:

• Public libraries
• School libraries
• College and university libraries
• Friends of the Library groups
• Library book-sale committees
• Academic departments
• Institutional collections
• Community organizations managing former library collections

Pickup availability depends on location, quantity, material type, and accessibility.

Areas We Serve

Bulk Book Warehouse is based in Rotterdam, New York, near Albany and Schenectady.

We provide library-withdrawal pickup services throughout the Capital Region and may travel to other areas of Upstate New York for qualifying quantities.

Common service areas may include:

• Albany County
• Schenectady County
• Saratoga County
• Rensselaer County
• Schoharie County
• Other Upstate New York communities

Libraries located outside the immediate Capital Region are encouraged to submit a request. Longer-distance pickups may be available when the quantity justifies the trip or when several pickups can be coordinated along the same route.

Our standard pickup area is within and around 15 miles of our warehouse in Rotterdam, but larger pickups like book sale leftovers may be acceptable.

Minimum Pickup Quantity

Library pickups are generally intended for larger withdrawals rather than a few individual boxes.

A typical qualifying pickup may include:

• A large group of boxed withdrawals
• Several library carts of materials
• A storage room being cleared
• Unsold books remaining after a library book sale
• A partial or complete collection removal
• Recurring withdrawal pickups

For planning purposes, libraries should provide an estimated number of:

• Boxes
• Pallets
• Gaylord containers
• Approximate total books

Our minimum required amount of boxes is 20.

Libraries with smaller quantities may be directed to a Bulk Book Warehouse drop-off location or community donation bin when appropriate.

Materials We May Accept

Eligible library materials may include:

• Hardcover books
• Paperback books
• Children’s books
• Young adult books
• Fiction
• Nonfiction
• Reference materials
• Large-print books
• Audiobooks
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Educational media
• Unsold library book-sale inventory

Condition Requirements

Books do not need to be perfect, but they should be safe to handle and process.

Please discard any materials that include:

• Mold or mildew
• Water damage
• Pest activity
• Heavy smoke odor
• Chemical contamination
• Broken glass or sharp objects
• Excessive dirt or debris
• Biohazard exposure

Bulk Book Warehouse may decline materials that create a health, safety, or contamination risk.

A few worn books do not normally prevent a pickup. However, collections with widespread mold, water damage, or pest activity must be discarded before scheduling.

Packing and Loading Requirements

Unless other arrangements have been approved, library materials should be packed and ready before the scheduled pickup.

Recommended packing guidelines

• Use sturdy, closed boxes.
• Keep boxes at a safe lifting weight.
• Avoid oversized boxes that become too heavy.
• Pack books flat or upright to reduce damage.
• Secure audiovisual materials so they do not spill during transport.
• Do not overfill boxes.

A practical box weight is generally no more than approximately 35 to 50 pounds.

For the fastest service, materials should be consolidated near a ground-level entrance, loading dock, or accessible pickup area.

Pallets, Gaylords and Large Withdrawals

For larger projects, materials may be prepared on pallets or in Gaylord containers.

Please provide:

• Number of pallets or containers
• Whether pallets are wrapped
• Whether a loading dock is available
• Whether a forklift or pallet jack is available
• Whether the pickup vehicle must have a liftgate

Photographs are helpful when planning large pickups.

Libraries should not stack boxes on unstable or damaged pallets. Palletized loads must be safe to transport.