Scholastic Warehouse FAQ’s/Tips

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know that I often have a gargantuan book haul around summer and winter break. And they’re all free (kinda)!

So how am I getting all these lovely books? Two words, my friend: Scholastic Warehouse.

Today’s Scholastic volunteering haul! #imm #bookhaul

A photo posted by Paige (@thepaige_turner) on


With December coming up, and Scholastic’s bi-annual sale, I’m here to teach you the secrets of the warehouse and how you can potentially score awesome books and be apart of a great volunteering opportunity. I’ve organized this into a FAQ style post so you can skip around if need be.


  • What is the Scholastic Warehouse?
    • The Scholastic Warehouse is exactly what it sounds like. It houses the titles that Scholastic Publisher puts out. Often times smaller states will only have one or two warehouses (for example, Colorado only has one, but in my home state, California, I think we have six). Their main function is distributing books to the local schools/school districts for their book fairs (remember those? The warehouse is basically a book fair, but about 100 times bigger).

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Blurry picture is ugly, but this is two of about 16 rows we have at my warehouse. Look at all that lovely stock!

  • When is the Scholastic Warehouse open?
    • Typically twice a year, but sometimes they do pop-up sales in the spring and fall.
  • Why do they have these sales?
    • From my understanding, Scholastic tries to purge out their old stock, before the new stuff comes in, so books are greatly discounted. In recent years they’ve changed their pricing/discounts but no matter what, everything is at least 20% off, but often goes up to 80% off.
  • Do they have YA books?
    • Yes!!!! The beauty (or hindrance, depending on how you look at it) of the Warehouse sales is that there is a huge selection. Everything from ages 0-YA (they call it advanced readers, but it’s YA), and they even have adult books and Spanish as well.
    • Also, the warehouses often hold their imprints/subsidiaries as well (so they’ll have stuff from Little Brown, Poppy, Simon Teen, Disney Hyperion, etc.). Their stock is ALWAYS changing
  • Who can go to the sales?
    • Technically anyone. On their website they’ll say you have to be an “educator” but I’ve been going to the sale, as a customer, since I was in elementary school and we’re just happy to make sales that literally no one is going to ask if you work for a school.

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Lovely boxed sets are lovely.

  • So, how can I get free books?
    • This is the fun part! If you’re over 18 (you have to be over 18 just for safety and insurance reasons), you can sign up to volunteer! I’ve broken down the process on how to do that below:
      • Navigate to the Scholastic Warehouse website (google the web address, because it’s always changing)
      • Find your state and see if there’s a warehouse near you
      • Click on the warehouse you want to volunteer at and sign up for their coupon/fast pass/express pass (the name is always changing)
      • This gives you entrance to the sale and provides you with the opportunity to click “I want to volunteer!”
      • Someone will contact you if there are volunteer openings available
      • It varies by state/warehouse, but at mine, for every hour worked, you are compensated with $20 voucher cards
      • These vouchers can be used towards “purchasing” your books. HOWEVER, you do not receive the discounted price (unless it’s got a red circle tag on the book since these are final price) so you are “paying” the list price
      • For example, those beautiful blue Harry Potter boxed sets (see below) that I got for a few friends this summer were priced at $69.99 (originally $80), and I got it “for free” by using my vouchers

  • What else do I need to know?
    • I’ve worked the sale for about 10-12 seasons now (about 4-5 years) and have picked up on a few things
      • Most importantly: WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. I can’t stress this enough. You’re standing for upwards of 6 hours on concrete. It hurts after awhile. Your converse shoes are NOT going to cut it.
      • Dress warmly (or cooly). In the winter, those warehouses are FREEZING. And in the summer they’re SCORCHING. Either way though, you’ll be working up a sweat.
      • Wear older clothes. Books are surprisingly dusty/dirty, and at the end of the day you’ll be surprised at how much dirt is on you. Also you’ll break a sweat, trust me. It’s not easy work, lifting, and heaving books around.
      • Stock is ALWAYS changing. Those Harry Potter sets were on sale about 6 seasons ago, and I never saw them again until last year, so if you see something, even if you’re just a shopper, GET IT. We may not stock it again.
      • HAVE FUN. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong. Sure, customers can be a little bitchy sometimes (it is retail after all), but it’s a really fun opportunity, and looks good on your resumé if you don’t have any other work experience. I personally rose in the volunteer ranks and am nearly second in command at my warehouse (next to my, actually paid, supervisor)

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This was everything that I got in the last season (most of it was gifts for friends)

Have any further questions? Let me know! And if you go to a warehouse sale, drop me a link to your haul/post! I love hearing about people’s experiences!

 

13 Replies to “Scholastic Warehouse FAQ’s/Tips”

  1. Thank you for sharing this information. It’s a great post and not too many people know about the warehouse besides educators. I always loved the Scholastic book fairs and warehouse visits. Your tips are very concise.

    1. You’re very welcome! Thanks for your comment 🙂

  2. Oh my GOSH. This is amazing! I used to be obsessed with those Scholastic book fairs at my elementary school. I’m absolutely going to check this out. (I just signed up to volunteer, so we’ll see what happens!) Thank you! 🙂

    1. You are so welcome! I hope they contact you and that you have fun no matter what 🙂

  3. Ohhh goodie!! I did not know about this, Paige! I will definitely check this out! AHMAYZING!

    1. YAY!!! Glad I could be of service! Let me know if you do end up volunteering, and if you do I hope you have lot’s of fun 😀

  4. thank you for this post!! i’ve always been curious from your photos. i looked it up and there’s one right by me so hopefully i’ll get a chance to go! 🙂

    quick question: when you register, you have to say the school you’re working for (educator) but you said basically anyone can go. what would i select for this? thanks, paige!!

    1. You’re very welcome!! Also if you’re ever in the Anaheim area while I’m volunteering you should totes come visit!

      What I used to do was put down a school I used to go too. They never ask what school you’re from (unless you randomly shout out you’re a teacher or something) so don’t sweat it!

  5. I’m not 18 yet(ugh), do you think they would allow it if I went with a legal adult? Thanks!

    1. I can’t vouch for other warehouses but I’ve personally talked to my own supervisor about it and she was extremely hesitant to say yes based on legality and liability issues alone. I would def. check with your warehouses’ volunteer coordinator though!

  6. I just found this on Tumblr and as there is one happening right now and today is the only day I can go, it was truly perfect timing! Can’t wait to volunteer next time too! Thank you so much for sharing this!

    1. You’re very welcome! Glad I could help out 😀 Have fun!

  7. Gosh I want to do this! Working with books? It’s a dream!

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