Where can I donate field guides in Albuquerque?

Field guides are durable, high-utility books that route extremely well at NMLP. New Mexico is one of the best states in the country for birding, rockhounding, wildflower identification, and outdoor recreation, so the demand for field guides here is higher than in most markets. I take field guides in any condition, any edition, and any subject area.

Field Guide Categories I Accept

• Bird field guides — Sibley (multiple editions), Peterson Field Guides series, Audubon regional, National Geographic Field Guide to Birds. Strong year-round reader demand. New Mexico is a major birding destination, and bird field guides are the single most requested category at outdoor-oriented Little Free Libraries.
• NM and Southwest regional plant and wildflower guides — UNM Press editions, Falcon Guides, Mountain West regional titles. High demand at outdoor-recreation LFLs and at conservation organization contacts across the state.
• Geology and rockhounding guides — New Mexico has substantial rockhounding culture and the state's geology is endlessly varied. UNM Press geological guides, Bureau of Land Management area guides, and general rockhounding references are all well-routed.
• Tree and shrub identification — Peterson, Audubon, and regional Southwest titles. Useful for hikers, gardeners, and forestry students.
• Mushroom and fungi guides — National Audubon, regional Southwest editions. Niche but real reader demand, especially during monsoon season when foraging interest peaks.
• Reptile, amphibian, and insect guides — Accepted at any quantity. These are useful for families with curious kids and for school science programs.
• Vintage field guides (pre-1980) — Illustration-driven editions have genuine collector value. The hand-drawn plates in older Peterson guides are considered art, and first editions of major field guide series sell well through specialty channels.
• Star and astronomy guides — New Mexico's dark skies make stargazing guides more useful here than in most places. I route these to LFLs and to astronomy club contacts.

Where Field Guides Go After Donation

I route field guides based on condition and edition. Recent editions in good condition go to specialty resale — field guides hold their value better than most book categories because they are reference tools, not one-time reads. Older editions and copies with wear go to Little Free Library stewards, particularly LFLs near trailheads, parks, and outdoor recreation areas. I also route field guides to school science programs, conservation organizations, and nature centers that accept donated materials for their lending libraries.

The point is that field guides almost never end up in recycling. They are too useful. Even a beat-up, dog-eared copy of Sibley's will find a reader within days of being placed in a Little Free Library.

How to Donate Field Guides

Call or text me at 702-496-4214 and I will schedule a free pickup at your home anywhere in the Albuquerque metro. Field guides usually come as part of a larger donation — a bookshelf with nature books, gardening references, and outdoor recreation titles mixed together. That is perfect. I sort everything at my warehouse at 5445 Edith Blvd NE and route each category separately.

You can also drop off at the 24/7 outdoor donation box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque 87107. No appointment needed.

Frequently Asked Questions — Field Guide Donations

Do outdated field guides still have value?

Yes. Field guides age better than almost any other book category. A bird field guide from 1995 is still perfectly useful for identifying birds — the birds have not changed. What changes between editions is range maps and taxonomy, but the core identification content remains solid. Older editions also have collector appeal, especially those with hand-drawn illustrations.

I have a large collection of field guides from a biologist or naturalist. Do you want the whole thing?

Absolutely. Professional naturalist libraries are some of the most valuable donations I receive. They tend to include specialized references that are hard to find and in high demand. I have picked up entire naturalist libraries from retired UNM biology professors, retired Forest Service employees, and lifelong birders. Call me at 702-496-4214 and I will schedule a pickup.

What about nature magazines like Audubon or National Wildlife?

I accept nature and outdoor magazines, especially complete or near-complete year runs. Single issues are harder to route, but stacks of Audubon, National Wildlife, Birding, or New Mexico Wildlife magazines have reader value. Include them with your field guide donation and I will sort them at the warehouse.

Do you take hiking guides and trail maps?

Yes. Hiking guides for the Sandias, Jemez, Manzanos, and other New Mexico mountain ranges are in high demand. Trail maps and topographic references are also accepted. These route well to outdoor-recreation LFLs and to hiking groups.

Have field guides to donate? Call or text 702-496-4214 and I will get you on the schedule.