Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
PCS Move Reality: Books Are Heavy, Time Is Short
A military PCS move is one of the most stressful logistics challenges you'll face as a military family. The military weighs your household goods down to the pound, and every ounce over your weight allowance costs extra money out of your own pocket. Then there's the reality of timelines: clearing quarters, coordinating with movers, getting paperwork signed off—it all needs to happen fast.
Books? They're one of the first things to go because they're heavy. A single box of books can weigh 40–50 pounds. That adds up quickly. If you've been collecting books for years—novels, textbooks, professional reading material for your career—you could easily be looking at hundreds of extra pounds that eat into your weight allowance and your moving budget.
The good news: you don't have to throw them away or figure out what to do with them at the last minute.
Free Book Pickup for Military Families
New Mexico Literacy Project works with military families who are moving out of Albuquerque. Kirtland Air Force Base families, Sandia Base households, and any other base or rental address in the North Valley get the same free pickup service for your books before the PCS date. No sorting. No appointments required for most pickups. No questions asked about condition or quantity.
Here's how it works:
- Call or email to schedule: 702-496-4214 or [email protected]
- Tell me your timeline and location
- I pick up your books at your quarters or rental home
- You get your space back, your weight allowance stays intact, and your books find new homes
Perfect timing: the final week before you ship out, when you're clearing quarters and running out of time. This is exactly what I'm here for.
24/7 Book Drop Box—No Appointment Needed
If you prefer to drop off on your own schedule, I have a 24/7 drive-up drop box:
5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(Corner of Edith & Montano, North Valley)
Drive up anytime, day or night, and drop off your books. No lines, no waiting, no appointment. This works great if you're busy with move-out details and just need to clear out your books quickly.
What I Accept (Everything)
Don't worry about sorting or condition. I take:
- Novels and fiction
- Textbooks and educational materials
- Professional and military reading material
- Children's books (especially welcome)
- DVDs and CDs
- Books in any condition—worn, marked up, outdated, damaged
Children's books donated by military families go directly to local Albuquerque families who can use them. I sort, price, and get books into the hands of readers who want them throughout the community.
Why Donate Instead of Throwing Away?
Sending books to the landfill is wasteful, and hauling them across the country at modest value per pound doesn't make sense financially when you could donate them instead. By donating, you're making space for your move and reducing your weight allowance cost—which keeps money in your family's pocket for other PCS expenses.
I find new readers for every book I can, connecting them with readers in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico who need them. It's a practical solution for your move and a contribution to literacy in your community.
Military Family? I'm Here for You
Military families move fast and move often. I get it. My pickup and drop-box services are designed around the reality of PCS moves—tight timelines, weight limits, and the need for solutions that work when you need them.
Get in touch:
- Free pickup: 702-496-4214 or [email protected]
- 24/7 drop box: 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87107