How to Build a Home Library on a Budget: 6 Sources for Free and Low-Cost Books
April 8, 2025
A personal home library is a wonderful way to foster a love of reading, encourage lifelong learning, and create a cozy, book-filled environment. Research consistently shows the powerful impact of having books in the home. A landmark 20-year study led by sociologist Mariah Evans found that children raised in homes with books stayed in school an average of 3 years longer than children from bookless homes, regardless of parents’ education or economic status. According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 83% of children across all age groups say they love being read aloud to at home, primarily because it creates special bonding time with parents.
The National Literacy Trust’s 2024 report on children and young people’s reading found that only 43.4% of children and teens said they enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest level since the survey began in 2005. The report also highlights that reading for pleasure is strongly linked to mental well-being, better educational outcomes, and improved communication skills. These findings make it even more important to ensure that children have easy access to books at home.
However, building a collection of books can be expensive, especially if you’re purchasing them new at retail prices. Fortunately, many ways exist to curate a diverse and engaging home library without breaking the bank. Here are some savvy strategies to acquire books affordably while supporting your community and reducing waste.
Buy Used Books
Purchasing used books is one of the most cost-effective ways to build your library. Many local bookstores specialize in secondhand books, offering them at a fraction of the original price. Not only does this help you save money, but it also supports small businesses and keeps books from ending up in landfills. Another benefit of buying used books is discovering out-of-print or older editions that may no longer be available in mainstream bookstores. Whether you prefer shopping in person or online, websites such as ThriftBooks, The Book Bundler, BookScouter, and local Facebook Marketplace listings provide excellent sources for affordable used books.
This accessibility is especially important given the 2024 National Literacy Trust finding that children from lower-income backgrounds are significantly less likely to enjoy reading and to own books at home. Affordable used books help bridge that gap, allowing every child to fall in love with reading.
Check Out Library Bookstores
Public libraries often receive donations of books, but they cannot always add every book to their circulation. To manage excess inventory, many libraries sell these donated books at significantly reduced prices through their bookstores or periodic book sales. Some libraries even have dedicated rooms or carts with books priced as low as $1! By purchasing from these sales, you acquire books for your home library at a great price and contribute to the library’s funding, helping to support literacy programs, community events, and the purchase of new books and resources.
Join Buy Nothing Groups
Another great way to find books for free is by joining local Buy Nothing groups, which can often be found on Facebook or the official Buy Nothing Project website. Families frequently give away books their children have outgrown or titles they no longer need. This is an excellent opportunity to collect books in various genres, including children’s literature, novels, and nonfiction. In addition to saving money, participating in these groups fosters a sense of community and promotes the sustainable reuse of books instead of discarding them. The 2024 reading report also notes that reading enjoyment is strongly influenced by access—children who say they have a book of their own are more likely to enjoy reading. Free resources like Buy Nothing groups help increase access and spark interest in reading through greater variety and ownership.
Ask Your School Library About Discards
Schools must update their book collections to align with educational standards and curriculum changes. As a result, school libraries regularly remove older books from circulation. While these books may no longer meet specific classroom requirements, they are often still in great condition and perfectly enjoyable for personal reading. Reach out directly to your local school librarian with a polite email or phone call to inquire about their discard process and whether they allow community members to claim books before disposal. This approach can help you add classic literature, reference books, and educational materials to your home collection at no cost.
Explore Little Free Libraries and Enlist Friends
Little Free Libraries are small, community book exchanges that operate on the “take a book, leave a book” principle. With over 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide, these book-sharing boxes can be excellent sources for free books. Use the Little Free Library Map to locate ones in your area, and make it a regular habit to check them for new additions.
Additionally, enlist your friends in your book-hunting efforts. Book availability can vary widely between regions and local markets, so friends in other areas might have access to books you can’t find locally. Creating a “book wish list” to share with friends and family can help them keep an eye out during their book-hunting adventures. This network approach helps you find desired books and spreads enthusiasm for secondhand book shopping!
Take Advantage of United Through Reading’s Storytime App
United Through Reading offers a free storytime app specifically designed for you! The app allows service members to record themselves reading books to the special children in their lives. After recording, United Through Reading will send both the video and a physical copy of the book to your child free of charge. According to the Military Family Advisory Network’s 2021 Military Family Support Programming Survey, programs that help maintain family connections during deployments and separations rank among the most valuable resources for military families. Our service helps military families stay connected during separations and builds a child’s home library with quality books.
The 2024 National Literacy Trust report confirms that shared reading experiences, even via video, can boost reading confidence and enjoyment. By turning storytime into a meaningful family connection, our free service supports both literacy and emotional well-being for military children. Visit our app page to learn how to access this free resource for active duty, reserves, guard, veterans, and their families.
Building a home library on a budget is both possible and rewarding. By seeking out used books, visiting library bookstores, joining Buy Nothing groups, checking for school discards, exploring Little Free Libraries, enlisting friends’ help, and utilizing resources like United Through Reading’s free Storytime App for military families, you can amass an impressive collection while saving money and contributing to sustainability efforts.
The 2021 and 2024 reports from the National Literacy Trust confirm that children with access to books at home are more likely to enjoy reading, achieve better academic performance, and develop stronger communication and cognitive skills. The 2024 report further emphasizes the urgent need for increased access, as reading enjoyment has reached a historic low, making efforts like building a home library more vital than ever. With patience and creativity, you can create a literary haven in your home that provides endless reading enjoyment for you and your family.
Our literacy resources are brought to you by Reader’s Digest Foundation.