Have you got some gently used books laying around that have probably reached their final chapter in your house? Well we’ve got a great list of local organizations to help you find where to donate books in Auckland.
Read on to see all the locations, and how to donate!
Note: We prioritize organizations that dedicate time and resources to aiding literacy in their local communities.
Every listing here bar the Auckland Prison Library will be glad to receive gently used children’s books.
Books For You can pick your books up, provided you have a large enough quantity (more than a few boxes is a general rule of thumb.)
The Auckland Prison Library will accept books like this, provided they’re not spiral bound.
Bookarama
Donation Types: Drop off, drop off in book bin
August-October Drop Off Locations:
– Grasslands 204 Moore Street Howick
– Howick Village Optometrist 94 Picton Street Howick
– Placemakers 481 Pakuranga Road Highland Park
– Farm Cove Intermediate School Butley Drive Pakuranga
– Lawn Heat and Leisure 64A Ti Rakau Drive Pakuranga
– The Café Botany Downs Inside Danske Mobler Botany Town Centre
– Mitre 10 Mega Bishop Dunn Place Botany
Hours: During normal store opening times
Year-Round Location: Ray White Howick, 12 Uxbridge Road, Howick, Auckland 2014 (arrange drop off time)
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias
Website: Bookarama
How to Donate
Bookarama hosts their annual book drive in October, and ‘collection depots’ are set up from August until the drive. The above are this year’s current locations, but these may change from year to year.
If you are looking to donate books outside of these months, Ray White’s real estate offices in Howick can accommodate you. Drop offs are made at the back basement, though please phone the below contacts to arrange a time before you donate here:
Carol (021 253 4899)
Steve (022 1028 332)
How Bookarama Helps
This book sale is organized by the Rotary Club of Howick, and profits fund community programs as well as providing disaster relief. They bill themselves as Auckland’s largest charity book fair.
Books For You (For Youth NZ)
Donation Types: Drop off, Pick up from you
Drop Off Location: 67 Station Road Penrose Auckland 1061
Type of Books Accepted: Any books suitable for children ages 0-17
Website: For Youth NZ
How to Donate
For Youth NZ has a handy form you can fill out on their website. If you provide your address details, and you have a large enough quantity, they should be able to pick your books up from your residence.
Alternatively, drop off your books at the Auckland address above.
How Books For You Helps
Books For You is a program started by Auckland native Jessie Yan. The program strives to close the literacy gap for kids in Auckland who don’t have regular access to books.
This is a great opportunity to donate unused children’s books you may have lying around, and your books will be donated to churches, schools, and other community programs. Previous donations have gone to Westbridge Residential School and New Jerusalem City Church.
Auckland City Mission
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: Good Stuff, 127 Symonds street, Grafton
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-3pm
Type of Books Accepted: Any and all kinds of books!
Website: Auckland City Mission
How to Donate
Bring your books to the Good Stuff charity store during the opening hours listed above. The Auckland City Mission provides key services for at-risk individuals and all profits from the charity store will fund their various programs.
Auckland Prison Library
Donation Type: Mail In
Address: Paremoremo Road, Paremoremo, Auckland 0793
Type of Books Accepted: All books apart from spiral bound books
Website: Corrections NZ
How to Donate
Please email Auckland Prison Library directly to see if they have a need for, and can accept, your books: aucklandprisonlibrary@corrections.govt.nz
This is a slightly different way to donate your books, as you’ll need to mail them, though prison libraries are every bit deserving of a mention on this list.
Auckland Bargain Book Fair
Donation Type: Drop off
Primary Location: Barfoot & Thompson Stadium (Kohimarama) Sorting Station (see website map for location)
Hours: Monday-Friday 4-8pm; Saturday-Sunday 9am-3pm
Other Locations: Other locations may be available; check website for most recent book fair information
Type of Books Accepted: Children’s books, fiction and nonfiction
Type of Books Not Accepted: Magazines, encyclopedias
Website: Auckland Bargain Book Fair
The map on their website link above shows their sorting location to the West of the stadium. For larger donations, please contact them to arrange a suitable time.
How to Donate
Clubs such as Sparta Volleyball, Selwyn College, and the Lions Club of Auckland are given funds raised from this annual event.
Books 4 Tonga
Donation Type: Drop off (check their website for updated times)
Type of Books Accepted: Books for preschool to adult readers
Type of Books Not Accepted: Textbooks, self-help books, cookbooks, car manuals, or books older than 15 years unless they are children’s classics i.e. Dr. Seuss
Website: Books4Tonga
How to Donate
I included Books 4 Tonga as this is a really great cause: populating and even building community libraries in Tonga. It’s not clear if they have had any book donation events post-2023, but I encourage you to check their website for up to date information on where and how to donate.
The Open Book
Donation Type: Drop off
Location: 201 Ponsonby Road, opposite Prego and around the corner from Franklin Road
Hours: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week
Type of Books Accepted: Books in good condition including National Geographics/New Zealand National Geographics
Type of Books Not Accepted: Textbooks that are dated (computers, law, health etc.), magazines
Website: The Open Book
That’s quite a list of places to donate in Auckland! I particularly like how so many groups are committed to helping their communities become more literate and educated, be that in Auckland or overseas.
Hopefully, this has equipped you with all the information you’ll need to give a new home to those deserving books.
GREAT JOB Tom ~~ It looks like you are in the US. We are down here in New Zealand and found this page!! We are keen to donate books to groups in New Zealand. This was very helpful. And you are right – Books are so important to everyone. Thanks for the details. Susan R
Thanks Susan, happy donating!
Such a great initiative and so important to keep book ‘alive’ thank you 🙏
Thanks so much!