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Central New Mexico Community College & Albuquerque

CNM textbook donations — what to do with old textbooks from Central New Mexico Community College

CNM is the largest community college in New Mexico, with more than twenty thousand students spread across five campuses. Nursing students, trade apprentices, allied health majors, dual-credit high schoolers, GED completers, pre-transfer students heading to UNM — they all accumulate textbooks that become dead weight the moment a semester ends. New Mexico Literacy Project runs a free pickup and 24/7 drop-off operation about ten minutes from CNM Main Campus. NCLEX prep guides, HVAC manuals, pharmacology references, CompTIA certification books, welding code handbooks, anatomy atlases — all of it, any condition, any quantity. This page covers every CNM program, every campus, and every angle: which textbooks hold value, how the donation process works, how NMLP compares to the CNM Bookstore buyback, and why the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE might be the fastest option you have not considered.

Call 702-496-4214 Text to schedule pickup

Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred

The end-of-semester textbook problem at CNM

Central New Mexico Community College is the largest community college in the state, enrolling more than twenty thousand students in a typical year. Five campuses, dozens of programs, semesters that run on both sixteen-week and eight-week calendars. Every time one of those terms ends, a wave of textbooks becomes surplus.

Community college textbooks have a different lifecycle than university textbooks. Programs are more vocational, more hands-on, more directly tied to certification exams. That means the textbooks tend to be either very practical (trade manuals, code references, certification prep) or very clinical (nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy). Both categories cycle faster than a typical English lit anthology, but both can hold meaningful resale value on the national used-book market.

The CNM Bookstore absorbs some of this end-of-semester volume, but only for a narrow band of titles they are confident will be assigned again next term. Amazon trade-in handles another slice. The rest — older editions, supplementary materials, workbooks, trade manuals not on the current adoption list, course packets, GED prep materials — has nowhere obvious to go. That is the gap I fill.

New Mexico Literacy Project is run by Josh Eldred, a one-person operation working out of a warehouse at 5445 Edith Blvd NE — about ten minutes from CNM Main Campus heading north on I-25 or up Edith Blvd. Free pickup from anywhere in the Albuquerque metro, or a 24/7 outdoor drop box that is accessible day and night, every day of the year. No minimum, no condition requirements, no appointment for the drop box. If you are looking to sell your textbooks for cash, there is a separate page that walks through which channel pays the most for which kind of book. This page is focused on the donation pathway — what happens when you want the books gone efficiently and want them to end up somewhere useful.

Five CNM campuses — one pickup number

CNM is not a single campus. It is spread across the Albuquerque metro in a way that no other local college is, and each campus has its own academic personality. Understanding the campus layout matters for textbook donations because the textbook mix differs significantly by location.

I pick up from all five campuses and from student housing near each one. The 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE is the centrally located alternative — a quick drive from any campus in the metro.

Main Campus — University & Coal

The largest and most diverse campus. Home to the nursing program, allied health, business, IT, liberal arts, and the bulk of CNM’s general education course load. This is where most pre-transfer students — those planning to continue at UNM — take their intro-level courses. The textbook volume here is enormous: everything from anatomy atlases to intro psychology to business statistics.

Main Campus is about ten minutes south of the NMLP warehouse. Straight shot up I-25, exit at Montano, or take Edith Blvd north through the neighborhoods. During finals weeks, I run Main Campus area routes almost daily.

Montoya Campus — Trades & Technical

Located near I-25 and Comanche, Montoya is CNM’s trade and technical hub. HVAC, welding, automotive technology, electrical, plumbing, construction technology, and manufacturing — the programs here produce a very different kind of textbook than what comes out of Main Campus. Trade manuals, NEC codebooks, EPA 608 study guides, ASE certification prep, OSHA reference materials, blueprint reading texts.

These books have practical value well beyond the classroom. Working tradespeople use many of the same references on job sites. Some hold niche resale value; others serve a second life as reference material in shops and garages.

Westside Campus — Universe Blvd NW

Located on Universe Blvd NW in the Ventana Ranch area, the Westside Campus serves the west side of the metro with a general education and career-technical mix. Business courses, early childhood education, criminal justice, and general education prerequisites are common programs. Textbook donations from Westside tend to be intro-level and survey-course materials — the same books CNM Main Campus uses, just offered at a more convenient location for west-side residents.

Free pickup available from the Westside area. The drop box on Edith Blvd is a straightforward drive east across the river.

South Valley Campus — Isleta Blvd

The South Valley campus focuses on general education, ESL, adult basic education, and GED preparation alongside some career-technical programs. This campus serves a community with a high proportion of first-generation college students and adult learners returning to education. The textbook mix reflects that: developmental math and English, GED prep materials, ESL workbooks, and introductory course texts.

I pick up from the South Valley area regularly. The drop box is about fifteen minutes north via I-25 or Second Street.

Rio Rancho Campus — Broadmoor

CNM’s newest campus serves the rapidly growing Rio Rancho population. General education, business, and health science prerequisites are the primary programs. Students here are often commuters who also juggle work and family, which means end-of-semester textbook disposal competes with a dozen other priorities. Free pickup removes that task entirely.

Rio Rancho pickups are folded into metro-wide routes. The drop box is about twenty to twenty-five minutes south via NM-528 and I-25.

End of semester approaching? Clear your textbooks without the hassle.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

CNM nursing textbooks — the most valuable donations I receive

CNM’s nursing program is one of the largest in New Mexico, producing graduates who feed directly into the Albuquerque healthcare system — Presbyterian, Lovelace, UNM Hospital, the VA. The textbook stack for a CNM nursing student is substantial: fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, pathophysiology, maternal-newborn, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, community health, and the ever-present NCLEX prep materials.

These books hold real value on the national used market. NCLEX prep guides — both the comprehensive review books and the practice-question banks — sell year-round because nursing students across the country need them, not just CNM students. Pharmacology textbooks are another strong category: the drug classes do not change as fast as the edition numbering suggests, so a two-edition-old pharmacology text still teaches the same mechanisms and is sought by students on tight budgets.

Anatomy atlases are a special case. The large-format illustrated references — Netter, Grant, Rohen — are expensive new and hold significant value used. They are also heavy and awkward to ship, which means many students leave them behind rather than deal with resale logistics. Those are exactly the books I want in the donation stream.

Clinical skills manuals, lab guides, and nursing procedure handbooks round out the nursing textbook category. Current editions of all these hold the highest resale tier, but even prior editions sell consistently. The core clinical content — wound care procedures, medication administration, patient assessment techniques — does not become obsolete just because a new edition adds updated practice guidelines or revised NCLEX question formats.

If you are a CNM nursing student who has just passed the NCLEX, or a CNM nursing faculty member with a shelf of review copies, your textbook collection is almost certainly worth more than you think. For a comprehensive look at medical and nursing textbook donations, there is a dedicated page that covers every specialty and edition scenario.

Trade program textbooks — HVAC, welding, automotive, electrical, plumbing

CNM’s Montoya Campus and the trade-focused programs across other campuses produce a textbook category that most donation operations do not know how to handle. Trade manuals are different from academic textbooks. They are more practical, more visual, more tied to specific certification exams. They also have a secondary market that operates on different logic than the standard college textbook resale chain.

Here is what I see come through from CNM trade programs, and what I know about value in each category:

HVAC

Refrigeration and air conditioning textbooks, EPA 608 certification study guides, HVAC design manuals, ductwork and piping references, electrical controls for HVAC, and energy efficiency handbooks. EPA 608 prep materials have the strongest resale demand because every HVAC technician needs the certification. Broader HVAC textbooks hold value when tied to current industry standards. Older editions still serve as practical reference material.

Welding

AWS certification prep materials, welding technology fundamentals, metallurgy introductions, blueprint reading for welders, pipe welding guides, and structural welding references. Certification prep materials (especially AWS D1.1 structural steel and D1.2 aluminum) hold the most consistent resale value. Fundamentals texts are the highest-volume donation from CNM welding students.

Automotive Technology

ASE certification prep guides, automotive electrical systems, engine performance, brake systems, transmission and drivetrain references, emissions control, and diagnostic textbooks. ASE test prep materials are the resale leaders. Broader automotive texts serve as shop references long after the course ends. I receive these from CNM students and from working technicians upgrading certifications.

Electrical & Plumbing

NEC (National Electrical Code) codebooks are the marquee item here — they update on a three-year cycle and the current edition always has value. Electrical theory textbooks, residential and commercial wiring guides, motor controls, and PLC programming references all come through. Plumbing brings pipe fitting, IPC code references, backflow prevention, and drainage system design. Code books in either trade hold value when current.

The common thread across trade textbooks: certification prep materials hold the most resale value, practical manuals hold reference value, and all of it is accepted in any condition. Grease-stained, shop-worn, marked up with field notes — I have seen it all, and none of it gets rejected.

Clearing out after completing your CNM certificate or degree? One text gets the pickup scheduled.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

Allied health textbooks — dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, EMT, and more

CNM’s allied health programs are a pipeline for Albuquerque’s healthcare workforce. The textbook demands for these programs are specific, expensive, and heavily clinical. Each program has its own certification exam, and the prep materials for those exams drive the resale market.

Dental Hygiene

CNM’s dental hygiene program is competitive to enter and demanding to complete. The textbook load includes dental anatomy, periodontology, radiology, pharmacology, oral pathology, community dental health, and NBDHE board exam prep. Current-edition NBDHE prep materials hold the highest resale value in this category. Older editions of clinical textbooks remain useful for content review. Dental anatomy reference texts with detailed illustrations hold value across multiple edition cycles.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory care textbooks cover pulmonary function testing, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, pharmacology, and the TMC (Therapist Multiple-Choice) and CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam) board prep materials. TMC exam prep guides have strong national demand. Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care is the standard text and holds value across editions. Mechanical ventilation references are sought by both students and working therapists.

EMT & Paramedic

Emergency medical services textbooks from CNM’s EMS program include EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic-level materials. NREMT certification prep guides are the resale leaders. Brady and Jones & Bartlett emergency care textbooks are the standard adoption titles. Pharmacology for prehospital care, ECG interpretation, trauma management, and ACLS/PALS provider manuals round out the category. These cycle quickly as protocols update, but current editions are always in demand.

Medical Assistant, Veterinary Technology & Other Programs

CNM also runs medical assistant, diagnostic medical sonography, sterile processing, and veterinary technology programs. Each produces its own textbook stream with its own niche resale market. CMA exam prep materials, sonography physics textbooks, and veterinary anatomy references all hold value. The volumes are smaller than nursing or dental hygiene, but the per-title value can be equally strong for current-edition certification prep.

Business, IT, and cybersecurity textbooks from CNM

CNM’s business and information technology programs serve a large student population. These are courses where textbook editions cycle frequently and where the gap between what the CNM Bookstore will buy back and what students actually have is widest.

Business textbooks — intro to business, accounting principles, microeconomics, macroeconomics, business law, marketing, management, business statistics — are high-volume donations. Intro-level business texts have large print runs and many competing editions, which means individual resale value is moderate. But they have a long tail: accounting principles textbooks from three editions ago still teach the same double-entry bookkeeping, and students on tight budgets seek them out.

IT and cybersecurity textbooks are a different story. Certification prep materials dominate the value curve. CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and CySA+ study guides have active national resale markets because the certifications are industry-standard credentials. Cisco CCNA and CCNP materials fall in the same category. Programming language textbooks (Python, Java, C++), database administration references, and networking fundamentals all hold value when current. Older editions of cert prep materials lose value faster than other categories because the exams themselves update periodically.

The practical advice for CNM IT students: if you have current-edition cert prep materials in good condition, those specific titles may be worth selling directly through Amazon or the CNM Bookstore. For the rest of the stack — older editions, supplementary materials, textbooks from non-cert courses — donation through NMLP is the efficient path. I evaluate everything and route the valuable titles through resale channels.

Pre-transfer students — the CNM-to-UNM textbook pipeline

A significant portion of CNM’s student body is taking general education courses with the intention of transferring to UNM, New Mexico Tech, or another four-year institution. This creates a textbook cycle that is distinct from the vocational programs: intro-level university-transferable courses in English composition, psychology, biology, chemistry, math, history, sociology, and political science.

These textbooks often overlap with what UNM assigns for the same introductory courses. That overlap creates both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity: some CNM intro textbooks can be resold to incoming UNM students who will use the same edition. The challenge: intro textbooks have the largest print runs and the fastest edition cycles, which drives individual resale values down.

For pre-transfer students, the practical calculus is straightforward. Check the CNM Bookstore buyback and Amazon trade-in for your intro course textbooks at the end of the semester. If they offer something reasonable, take it. For everything else — older editions, supplementary readers, course packets, workbooks with completed exercises — donation through NMLP removes the entire pile in one step. Free pickup or the 24/7 drop box.

If you are transferring to UNM and want to understand the textbook landscape there, the UNM textbook donations page covers that campus in the same depth. And if you want to compare selling options across both schools, the general sell textbooks page has the full picture.

Transferring from CNM? Let us take the textbooks you are not bringing with you.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

End-of-semester timing at CNM

CNM operates on a more complex academic calendar than a traditional university. In addition to the standard sixteen-week fall and spring semesters, CNM runs eight-week terms, twelve-week terms, and summer sessions. That means textbook surplus does not come in just two waves per year — it comes in a more continuous stream with peaks in May, July, August, and December.

The biggest surges are still May (spring semester end and commencement) and December (fall semester end). These are when the highest volume of textbooks becomes available, and when I increase pickup frequency across the metro. But the eight-week and twelve-week term endings in March, June, August, and October produce meaningful secondary peaks, especially from nursing and allied health programs that run on accelerated schedules.

For a detailed breakdown of seasonal textbook timing and how to think about the donate-vs-sell decision at each point in the calendar, the end-of-semester textbook guide covers all the angles.

The practical point: do not wait for a specific buyback window or a specific date on the calendar. The 24/7 drop box is always available, and free pickups can be scheduled any time by texting 702-496-4214. If you have textbooks you no longer need, the best time to donate them is now, not at the end of next semester when they are one edition older.

The 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE — ten minutes from CNM Main Campus

The drop box sits outside my warehouse at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, in the North Valley near Edith and Montano. It is an outdoor box accessible from the parking area — no gate, no code, no appointment needed. Drive up, place your books in or beside the box, and leave. It takes about as long as driving to the CNM Bookstore and finding parking, except the drop box is never closed, never has a line, and never rejects anything based on condition or edition.

From CNM Main Campus near University and Coal, head north on I-25 and exit at Montano, then east to Edith — about ten minutes. From Montoya Campus near Comanche, it is roughly the same distance heading north on Edith. From the Westside Campus on Universe Blvd NW, cross the river via Montano or Paseo del Norte and head east. From the South Valley Campus on Isleta, take I-25 north — about fifteen minutes. From Rio Rancho, take NM-528 south to I-25, then Montano — twenty to twenty-five minutes.

The box accommodates everything from a couple of textbooks to several boxes of materials. For very large donations that would not fit beside the box — a department cleanout, a faculty retirement collection, anything over about four boxes — text 702-496-4214 and I will arrange a pickup or a scheduled drop-off time to meet you at the warehouse and bring everything inside directly.

Books are collected from the box and brought inside regularly. Thousands of books have come through the drop box since I opened. For more details, photos, and directions, there is a dedicated 24/7 book drop page.

Free pickup — how it works for CNM students, faculty, and staff

If you do not want to drive to the drop box, I come to you. Free pickup from anywhere in the Albuquerque metro — CNM campuses, student apartments, faculty offices, homes, wherever the books are. The process is simple:

  1. Text 702-496-4214 with photos of your books and your address.
  2. I reply with a pickup window, usually within a day or two. During finals weeks, turnaround is often same-day or next-day for central Albuquerque.
  3. Set the books out wherever is convenient — front porch, apartment lobby, office, loading dock. You do not need to be present if the books are accessible.
  4. I pick up everything. No sorting, no boxing, no condition screening.

No minimum quantity. I will pick up a single textbook or a car trunk full. For larger collections — a full bookshelf, a retiring instructor’s office, a department reorganization — the same process applies, just with a slightly larger vehicle on my end.

For the full details on how the pickup service operates, routes, and scheduling, the free book pickup page has everything.

Anywhere in the Albuquerque metro. Free, no minimum, any condition.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

CNM Bookstore buyback vs. NMLP — an honest comparison

This is not a knock on the CNM Bookstore. It serves a specific function and does it well within its constraints. But those constraints are real, and understanding them helps you make the right decision about what to do with your textbooks.

The CNM Bookstore buyback works on a straightforward principle: they purchase textbooks they are confident will be assigned in the coming semester. For high-enrollment required courses — especially in nursing, allied health, and business — the buyback can pay competitively for current editions in decent condition. If your textbook is on the adoption list and in the edition being assigned, the Bookstore is a reasonable first stop.

The limitation: everything else gets either a minimal offer or a flat rejection. Older editions, supplementary materials, trade manuals not on the current adoption list, workbooks with completed exercises, course packets, GED prep materials, textbooks from programs with small enrollment — the Bookstore typically will not touch them. The Bookstore also operates on a schedule: buyback windows are limited to specific dates around the end of each semester. Outside those windows, your options narrow further.

NMLP operates on a completely different model. I do not pay for textbooks — this is a donation operation with free pickup and a 24/7 drop box. The trade-off for not getting cash: I accept everything in any condition, I come to you on your schedule, I operate year-round, and nothing usable gets thrown away. The books with resale value go through Amazon and eBay channels that fund the pickup operation. Most children’s books I receive are given away free to Little Free Libraries, the UNM Children’s Hospital reading program, and care facilities; classroom-appropriate materials go to APS Title I schools.

The practical approach: check the Bookstore first for your current-edition required textbooks. Take whatever they offer for those. Then donate the rest to NMLP. That clears the entire pile in two steps. For a broader comparison of all textbook buyback and selling options in Albuquerque, the college textbook buyback guide covers every channel.

Faculty and department cleanouts at CNM

CNM instructors accumulate textbooks in a way that is different from university faculty. Community college instructors often teach high-enrollment sections across multiple courses, which means they receive review copies from publishers at a higher rate. Over years or decades, that adds up to substantial office libraries — multiple editions of the same text, sample copies from competing publishers, supplementary instructor editions, test banks, and reference works.

When an instructor retires, changes positions, or when a department reorganizes office space, that accumulated library needs to go somewhere. I handle the entire process: come to the office, take everything, sort the value at the warehouse. No pre-sorting needed, no condition screening, no appointment scheduling hassle for the department admin.

For department-level cleanouts involving multiple offices — something that happens regularly when CNM reassigns space or consolidates programs — I coordinate directly with the department chair or administrative staff. One text to 702-496-4214 gets the conversation started.

Instructor review copies, desk copies, and examination copies deserve a specific mention. Publishers send these at no charge to encourage textbook adoption. They are often marked as such and the bookstore buyback will not accept them. I take them. If they have resale value through channels that accept review copies, they enter the resale stream. If not, they go to community distribution. Either way, they are out of your office.

Faculty office or department cleanout? I handle the whole collection.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

GED, adult education, and developmental education materials

CNM is one of the largest providers of GED preparation and adult basic education in New Mexico. The South Valley Campus and Main Campus both serve substantial adult learner populations, many of whom are first-generation students navigating educational materials for the first time. The textbook and material needs for these programs are distinct from the credit-bearing courses.

GED prep materials — the official GED Testing Service guides, Kaplan and Princeton Review prep books, subject-specific study guides for math, science, social studies, and language arts — cycle as the GED test format updates. Current-format prep materials have resale value because the demand is steady and national. Older-format materials still serve as supplementary practice resources, especially for the math and language arts portions where the underlying skills have not changed even if the test structure has.

Developmental education textbooks — the courses CNM catalogs as foundational or pre-college-level in math and English — round out this category. These are typically lower in individual resale value but high in community utility. The readable ones I try to rehome where I can — Little Free Libraries and adult learners who can use them; copies beyond use are recycled.

ESL (English as a Second Language) materials from CNM’s language programs also fall here. Grammar workbooks, conversation guides, TOEFL prep, and level-graded readers are all accepted. The Albuquerque metro has a significant ESL learner population, and usable materials find homes quickly through my community distribution network.

Dual-credit high school students at CNM

Thousands of Albuquerque-area high school students take dual-credit courses through CNM every year. They earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, which means they purchase (or are issued) the same textbooks used in the corresponding CNM courses. When the semester ends, these students face an awkward situation: the high school does not want the textbooks back because they are college-level materials, and the CNM Bookstore buyback may not accept them because the student does not have a CNM student account in the traditional sense.

The result is a population of textbooks that falls through the cracks of every institutional system. Parents end up with stacks of college textbooks in their teenagers’ rooms, unsure what to do with them. The books are perfectly good — same editions, same condition, same value as any other CNM textbook — but the pathway for disposing of them is unclear.

NMLP accepts all dual-credit textbooks through the same channels as any other donation. The 24/7 drop box or a free pickup — both work. For parents who want more context on how the donation process works and where the books go, the complete guide to donating books in Albuquerque has the full picture.

Where your CNM textbooks go after donation

Every donation gets sorted by hand at the warehouse. Here is the routing:

Resale Channels

Textbooks with current resale value — nursing, allied health, IT certification prep, current-edition trade manuals, recent business texts — go on Amazon or eBay. This revenue funds the free pickup operation, the warehouse, and the community distribution programs. Without the resale income, the free pickup service would not exist.

APS Title I Schools

Age-appropriate books and classroom-relevant materials route to Albuquerque Public Schools Title I schools — the schools with the highest concentrations of students from low-income families. Science texts, supplementary readers, and reference materials are especially valued by teachers building classroom libraries on minimal budgets.

UNM Children’s Hospital & Little Free Libraries

Children’s books, young adult titles, and general-interest reading materials route to the UNM Children’s Hospital reading program and to Little Free Libraries across the Albuquerque metro. These channels serve readers who need books most — hospitalized children and neighborhood residents without convenient library access.

Pulp Recycler

Only books that are genuinely beyond use — water-damaged, moldy, structurally destroyed — go to a regional pulp recycler. The paper gets reclaimed and re-enters the manufacturing stream. Nothing usable gets thrown away. This is the last-resort destination, and it handles a small percentage of total volume.

This model is why NMLP can accept everything in any condition with no minimum and no sorting requirements. Every book finds an appropriate destination. For more detail on how the operation works and why it is structured as a for-profit rather than a nonprofit, the about page has the full explanation.

Every book finds a destination. None of them is the landfill.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos for pickup

Transparency: NMLP is for-profit, not nonprofit

I want to be clear about what you are donating to. The New Mexico Literacy Project is a for-profit business. Donations to NMLP are not tax-deductible. I am not a 501(c)(3) charity, and I do not issue donation receipts for tax purposes.

The for-profit structure is what makes the operation sustainable. Revenue from reselling valuable books funds the free pickup service and the warehouse. A nonprofit model would require grant writing, board governance, and donor management — overhead that would consume resources better spent actually moving books. The for-profit model lets me focus entirely on logistics: getting books from people who do not want them to people and institutions that do.

If you need a tax deduction for your textbook donation, the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Public Library system and Goodwill both accept books and can provide receipts. Both have condition restrictions that I do not, and neither offers free pickup to individual donors. The trade-off is clear: tax deduction with more restrictions, or maximum convenience with no deduction.

NMLP has 5.0 stars on Google and works with La Vida Llena retirement community for regular book donations. The track record is public and verifiable. If you have questions about how the business works, the about page has the complete picture, or you can call me directly at 702-496-4214.

Frequently asked questions about CNM textbook donations

Where can I donate CNM textbooks in Albuquerque?
The New Mexico Literacy Project accepts CNM textbooks in any condition. You can use the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87107 — about ten minutes from CNM Main Campus heading north on I-25. Or text 702-496-4214 with photos and your address for free pickup anywhere in the metro, including all five CNM campuses. No minimum, no sorting required, no appointment for the drop box.
Does NMLP accept CNM nursing textbooks?
Yes, and nursing textbooks are among the most valuable donations I receive. CNM’s nursing program is one of the largest in the state, and the textbooks — NCLEX prep materials, pharmacology, anatomy atlases, clinical manuals, pathophysiology, and fundamentals of nursing — hold strong resale demand nationally. Current editions command the highest tier, but even prior editions sell well because core clinical content remains relevant across edition changes. I evaluate every title and route valuable ones through resale channels that fund the free pickup operation.
Are CNM textbook donations tax-deductible?
No. NMLP is a for-profit business, not a nonprofit. Donations to me are not tax-deductible. The trade-off: I accept everything in any condition, offer free pickup with no minimum, and my 24/7 drop box is always open. No sorting, no appointment, no rejection. If you need a tax deduction, the Albuquerque Public Library system and Goodwill both accept books and can provide receipts — though both have condition restrictions I do not.
Do you pick up textbooks from all five CNM campuses?
Yes. Free pickup from CNM Main Campus near University and Coal, Montoya Campus near I-25 and Comanche, Westside Campus on Universe Blvd NW, South Valley Campus on Isleta, and Rio Rancho Campus on Broadmoor. I also pick up from student apartments and homes near any campus. Text 702-496-4214 with your address and a photo of the books.
What happens to donated CNM textbooks?
Every donation gets sorted by hand. Textbooks with current resale value go on Amazon or eBay — that revenue funds the free pickup operation. Children’s books and age-appropriate materials route to APS Title I schools, UNM Children’s Hospital reading program, and Little Free Libraries across the metro. Readable books without resale value go through other distribution channels. Only books that are genuinely beyond use go to a regional pulp recycler. Nothing usable gets thrown away.
Should I sell my CNM textbooks or donate them?
It depends on the textbook. Current-edition nursing, allied health, and IT textbooks may be worth selling through the CNM Bookstore buyback or Amazon trade-in if they are in good condition and still being assigned. For everything else — older editions, trade manuals, GED materials, electives, course packets — donation is the practical choice. For a detailed comparison, see my sell textbooks in Albuquerque guide.
Do you accept HVAC, welding, and automotive textbooks from CNM?
Yes. Trade and vocational program textbooks from CNM are accepted in any condition. HVAC manuals, welding certification prep, automotive repair guides, electrical code books, and plumbing references all come through regularly. Some hold niche resale value — EPA 608 study guides, NEC codebooks, ASE certification materials — while others serve as practical references for tradespeople. I sort and route each title appropriately.
How close is the 24/7 drop box to CNM Main Campus?
About ten minutes heading north on I-25 to the Montano exit, or straight up Edith Blvd through the neighborhoods. The drop box is at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A. No gate, no lock, no appointment. Drive up and place your books in or beside the box any time — day, night, weekends, holidays.
When is the best time to donate CNM textbooks?
The biggest surges are May and December, but CNM’s eight-week and twelve-week terms create secondary peaks throughout the year. I accept donations year-round. The 24/7 drop box is always available, and pickups can be scheduled any time by texting 702-496-4214. The best time to donate is whenever you no longer need the books — do not wait for them to become one more edition older.
Do you accept GED and adult education textbooks?
Yes. GED prep materials, adult basic education workbooks, ESL textbooks, and developmental education materials are all accepted. Current-format GED prep books have resale value. Older-format materials still serve as supplementary practice resources. ESL materials find homes quickly through my community distribution network given the significant ESL learner population in the Albuquerque metro.
What condition do CNM textbooks need to be in for donation?
Any condition. Highlighted, dog-eared, spine-cracked, water-stained, missing the cover, written in, marked up with shop grease or clinical notes — all accepted. Trade textbooks with job-site wear, nursing texts with margin annotations, workbooks with completed exercises — all welcome. Readable books go to readers. Damaged-beyond-reading books go to my paper recycler. Either way, they stay out of the landfill.
Does NMLP accept dental hygiene and respiratory therapy textbooks?
Yes. Allied health textbooks from CNM’s dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, EMT/paramedic, medical assistant, and other programs are all accepted. Many allied health titles hold meaningful resale value — especially certification prep materials like NBDHE for dental hygiene, TMC for respiratory therapy, and NREMT for paramedics.
I am a CNM instructor clearing out my office — can you pick up the whole collection?
Yes. Faculty office cleanouts, department reorganizations, and instructor retirements are a regular part of what I do. Instructor collections often contain desk copies, review copies, multiple editions, and reference works accumulated over years. I handle the entire collection — no sorting needed on your end. For department-level cleanouts involving multiple offices, I coordinate with your administrative staff. Text 702-496-4214.
How does NMLP compare to the CNM Bookstore buyback?
Different tools for different books. The CNM Bookstore buyback pays for currently-assigned textbooks they are confident will be required next semester. For everything else, their offers are typically near zero or they will not buy the book at all. NMLP does not pay for books — I am a donation operation with free pickup. The advantage: I take everything in any condition, come to you, and operate year-round including the 24/7 drop box. The practical approach: check the Bookstore first for current-edition required texts, then donate the rest to NMLP.
Do you accept dual-credit high school student textbooks?
Yes. Many Albuquerque-area high school students take dual-credit courses through CNM and end up with textbooks that neither institution will take back. These are the same textbooks used in the corresponding CNM courses, so they carry the same value and the same donation pathways. The 24/7 drop box or a free pickup are both available. Text 702-496-4214 with photos and an address.
Can I donate just a couple of CNM textbooks or do you need a large collection?
No minimum. I will pick up a single textbook or a car-full. For one or two books, the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE is the fastest option — drive up, drop off, done. For larger collections, text 702-496-4214 for free pickup. During finals weeks, I am already running metro-area routes daily.
Do you accept cybersecurity and IT textbooks from CNM?
Yes. CompTIA certification guides (A+, Network+, Security+), Cisco CCNA materials, programming textbooks, database administration references, and cybersecurity fundamentals all have active used markets. Current-edition certification prep holds the highest resale value because the exams update periodically, but even prior-edition materials serve as study supplements. I evaluate and route each title appropriately.

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Ready to clear the shelf?

Text 702-496-4214 with photos of your CNM textbooks. Free pickup anywhere in the Albuquerque metro, or use the 24/7 drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE. No minimum, no sorting, no condition requirements. Nursing, trades, allied health, business, IT, GED — all of it.

Call 702-496-4214 Text photos Schedule pickup