Too many books. Not enough space. We'll handle it.
You have books that need to go, but getting rid of them is harder than it should be.
You've accumulated books over the years. Some you've read and won't revisit. Some you never got around to reading. Some were gifts that don't match your interests. Now they're taking up valuable space in your home, and you need them gone.
Your options aren't great:
- Donation centers often have restrictions on what they accept and require you to transport everything yourself
- Selling individually takes weeks of photographing, listing, messaging buyers, and coordinating pickups
- Library donations have limited capacity and may refuse certain books
- Throwing them away feels wasteful and contributes to landfill problems
As a result, books continue occupying your shelves because dealing with them seems like too much work.
You need a solution that's simple, responsible, and doesn't require you to handle all the logistics yourself.
Introducing Shelfspace, NearbyReads' book pickup and rehoming service
ShelfSpace handles the entire process of removing unwanted books from your home. We pick up your books at a scheduled time, sort them responsibly, and ensure they find appropriate destinations, whether that's resale on NearbyReads, community sales or book faires, donation, or recycling.
Shelfspace is currently only availabe in the Greater Boston area, Suffolk County, Norfolk County, Middlesex County. We're actively expanding our service area.
How it works:
Step 1: Request a Quote
Submit photos of the books you want removed, or provide a simple spreadsheet with titles and authors. We need to see what we're working with to provide an accurate estimate.
Step 2: Receive Your Estimate
We'll review your submission and provide a quote based on:
- Estimated weight of your books
- Accessibility of pickup location
- Whether you need boxing services
- Any special handling requirements
Step 3: Schedule Your Pickup
Once you accept the quote, you'll receive a scheduling link to choose a pickup date and time that works for your schedule.
Step 4: Complete Payment
Secure payment through an invoice ahead of pickup or cash or cash-equivilent (Venmo, Cash App) at time of completion. You'll receive confirmation and pickup details.
Step 5: We Handle the Rest
Our team arrives at your scheduled time, collects your books (boxing them if requested), and transports them away. You're done.
What's included with a Shelfspace pickup:
Standard Pickup
- Scheduled pickup at your preferred date and time
- Professional collection services
- Transport from your location
- Responsible sorting and rehoming
- Simple pricing
Optional Boxing Service
If your books aren't already packed, we'll box them for you. This service includes:
- Professional packing materials
- Careful handling and organization
- Secure boxing for transport
- Additional fee based on quantity
Responsible Rehoming
We don't just throw books away. After pickup, we:
- Sort books by condition and marketability
- Direct quality books to resale channels
- Donate appropriate titles to libraries, schools, and community organizations
- Ensure maximum diversion from landfills
Additional Considerations
- Accessibility: Standard pricing assumes ground-floor or elevator access. Stairs may incur additional fees.
- Volume discounts: Large collections (500+ books) may qualify for reduced per-pound rates.
- Rush service: Same-week pickup available for additional fee, subject to availability.
Common situations for professional book removal
- Downsizing and Moving: Relocating to a smaller home means reducing possessions. Books are heavy and take up significant space. Professional removal eliminates the burden of transporting them yourself.
- Estate Clearing: After a loved one passes, you inherit their book collection but don't have space or interest in keeping everything. ShelfSpace handles the emotional and logistical challenge of clearing their library.
- Space Reclamation: Your books have taken over your home. You need shelves for other purposes or simply want a less cluttered living environment.
- Collection Curation: You're keeping your favorites but need to remove hundreds of books that no longer serve you. Individual selling isn't worth the time investment.
- Library Reductions: Academic professionals, researchers, or avid collectors who've accumulated thousands of books and need systematic reduction.
- Business Transitions: Office closures, law firms, medical practices, or other businesses with professional libraries that need clearing.
How to get your estimate
Option 1: Photo Submission
Take clear photos of your books. Multiple angles if they're on shelves or in boxes. We need to see:
- Approximate quantity
- General condition
- How they're currently stored
Submit through our quote request form with your contact information and any special considerations.
Option 2: Spreadsheet Submission
Create a simple spreadsheet with:
- Book titles (minimum requirement)
- Authors (helpful but not required)
- Approximate quantity if you have many duplicates
What Happens Next:
- We review your submission within 24 hours
- Contact you with questions if needed
- Provide a detailed quote including all costs
- Answer any questions about the service
- Send scheduling link if you accept the quote
Our service commitments
- Reliable Scheduling: We arrive during your scheduled window. If something changes, we notify you immediately and reschedule at your convenience.
- Professional Service: Our team handles your books respectfully, works efficiently, and leaves your space clean.
- Responsible Disposal: We don't landfill books that can be reused. Maximum diversion through resale, donation, and recycling.
- Transparent Pricing: Your quote includes all costs. Any additional or unexpected costs we will promptly notify you over ASAP.
- Secure Handling: Books are transported securely and handled according to professional standards.
- Privacy Protection: Your personal information and address are kept confidential and used only for service delivery.
FAQ
- How quickly can you pick up my books? Standard scheduling is typically within 5-7 business days of quote acceptance. Rush service (2-3 days) is available for an additional fee, subject to availability.
- What if I don't know exactly how many books I have? That's fine. Provide your best estimate with photos. We can adjust the quote if actual quantity differs significantly from the estimate.
- Do you pick up from apartments? Yes. Standard pricing assumes elevator access. Walk-up apartments may incur additional fees depending on floor level.
- Can I keep some books and have you take the rest? Absolutely. Set aside what you're keeping, and we'll collect only the books you want removed.
- What types of books do you NOT accept? We accept most books. However, we cannot take: Moldy or water-damaged books (health hazard), books with pest infestation, or magazines and periodicals (different recycling stream).
- Will you give me a receipt for donation purposes? We provide a pickup receipt documenting the approximate quantity and weight of books removed. For tax purposes, consult your accountant about valuation.
- What if my books are in boxes already? Perfect. That reduces the cost since boxing service isn't needed. Just let us know they're pre-boxed in your quote request.
- Do you buy books? ShelfSpace is a removal service, not a book purchasing service. If you have valuable rare books or collectibles, you should consult a specialist dealer. For standard used books you want removed, we're your solution.
- Can I schedule pickup for a specific date months in advance? Our scheduling typically covers the next 4-6 weeks. For advance scheduling, contact us directly to discuss options.
- What's your service area? We currently serve [list service areas]. Check your coverage by entering your ZIP code in the quote request form.
Ready to clear your shelves?
Request a free quote to start the process. We'll review your books, provide transparent pricing, and schedule pickup at your convenience.
No pressure, no obligation. If the quote doesn't work for you, that's fine. But if you're ready to reclaim your space and responsibly rehome your books, we're here to help.
What you'll need:
- Photos of your books OR a simple spreadsheet with titles/authors
- Your location (for service area verification)
- Any special requirements (boxing needed, accessibility considerations, etc.)