If you’ve recently done some spring cleaning and have some used books you want to donate to a local Edmonton organization, you’re in luck because we’ve listed everywhere you can donate here!

From charities working to distribute books to those who need them most, to those supporting the homeless, and of course local libraries, the city is not short of places that will take your books. So, let’s go through them.

Edmonton Public Libraries

Donation Type: Drop off
Primary Location: Stanley A. Milner Downtown Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square Centennial Plaza, Edmonton, AB T5J 2V4
Hours: Weekdays 9am-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
Other Locations: 20 other locations in Edmonton that accept donations. See their website.
Type of Books Accepted: Paperbacks and hardcovers, children’s books, textbooks no more than 4 years old
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, encyclopedias, specialized journals, textbooks older than 4 years
Website: EPL

donate books edmonton

How to Donate

Please check which books are and aren’t accepted above, bag or box them, and bring them to your local Edmonton Public Library.

If you have more than several bags or boxes, they recommend calling ahead to let them know you’ll be dropping off.

Books that can’t be used in library collections are sold off in their highly successful Book2Buy Sales, raising important funds for the library system.

Edmonton BGC Bigs

Donation Types: Drop off in book bin, Pick up from you
Hours: 24/7 book bins
Locations: Find all their donation bins on their website.
Type of Books Accepted: Most books in good condition
Website: BGC Bigs

How to Donate

The Big Brothers Big Sisters donation bins will take books at any location, and you can find one closest to you by viewing their interactive map, linked to above, on their website.

They also offer a convenient pick up service, if you have a large amount of books. Simply fill out the form, again, found at the link above, and they will arrange a time to pick your books up.

The books will be sold at their Value Village stores, with proceeds helping all the Big Brother and Sister programs in Edmonton. You can certainly have a “big” impact on a local charity by choosing to donate your books here!

County Clothes Line

Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 201 Athabascan Ave, Sherwood Park, Alberta, T8A 4C8
Hours: 9am-9pm at the back door
Type of Books Accepted: Any children’s books, adult fiction and nonfiction no older than 5 years from publish date
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias
Website: County Clothes Line

How to Donate

Bring your books to the back door at 201 Athabascan Ave. 

This local charity has been around for over 40 years, and while its primary goal is providing clothing and educational support for those below the poverty line, books are welcomed as they can sell these at their thrift shop to help fund their programs.

Bissell Center

Donation Type: Drop off
Primary Location: Bissell Thrift Shop, 8818 118 Ave NW, Edmonton
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm
Other Locations: FIND Edmonton, 5120 122 Street NW, Edmonton, AB
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 12-5pm
Type of Books Accepted: Books of all genres and age groups
Website: Bissell Center

How to Donate

Both the Bissell Thrift Shop and FIND locations above accept book drop offs during opening hours. 

They have so many uses for donated books, such as giving them to parents in their Child and Family Service programs, or used as mental health or trauma support for people they work with.

Ben Calf Robe Society

Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 12046 – 77 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5B 2G7
Hours: Contact for hours of drop off
Type of Books Accepted: Most books in good condition
Website: Ben Calf Robe Society

How to Donate

A number of resources online have pointed me to the Ben Calf Robe Society as a place that is accepting book donations, however I’d recommend reaching out to them to arrange a drop off time.

  • Phone: 780.477.6648
  • Website contact form: here

One of the most important charities in the area, the Ben Calf Robe society works with indigenous children and youths, through programs like family support services, foster care, and they also help indigenous youths pursuing education. 

Books can be a great resource for these children, helping them gain an outlook on the wider world as well as helping improve their literacy skills.

I hope you’ve found the information you needed to make a decision on where to donate your books in and around Edmonton!

Cover image credit: Jeff