Where to Donate Books in Edinburgh

If you’ve spent some of your time spring cleaning or if you’re just a big fan of Marie Kondo-ing, you’ve probably ended up with some books that could go to better use in a new home.

If you’re looking to find local charities and libraries in Edinburgh that’ll take your books, you’re in luck. We’ve put together the ultimate almanac for you, so you can find out exactly where to donate books in Edinburgh.

Amnesty International

Location: 12 Roseneath Street, Marchmont, EH9 1JH
Hours: Monday-Saturday 12pm-6pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm
Website: Amnesty Edinburgh Book Shop

How to Donate

Amnesty International wants your old books, CDs, DVDs and records for their second-hand shop. Proceeds will support their efforts to protect human rights around the world. They will welcome your donations as soon as restrictions permit them to reopen the shop.

Books Abroad

Locations: Multiple
Hours: See Individual Location
Website: Books Abroad

How to Donate

Books Abroad are looking for anything you have lying around that would be appropriate for an educational environment. You take a look at their website for a detailed list, but it is likely whatever old books you’re looking to donate could be used in a library if nowhere else. They will be distributed globally to people in poverty.

Many businesses based in Edinburgh accept donations on behalf of Books Abroad. You can email info@booksabroad.org.uk, call 01464861446, or fill out their contact form for further information.

Why We Love Books Abroad

The charity works to redistribute books to third world countries, giving children who wouldn’t usually have access to books their own titles to cherish. They’re committed to promoting literacy in African and Asian countries, and send over 125,000 books per year to different causes!

Better World Books

Locations: Multiple
Hours: Search for individual drop off locations
Website: Better World Books

How to Donate

Better World Books will definitely have a Drop Box near you. Why choose to donate your books to them? Your old books will become a part of their Book-for-Book business model, which sees the profits from selling used books fund literary and education initiatives around the world. You could also post your old books to the address specified on their website.

For books that they are unable to sell, they are recycled or redistributed to support other initiatives such as the one at HMP Edinburgh.

British Heart Foundation

Locations: Multiple
Website: BHF

How to Donate

The British Heart Foundation would really appreciate your support in the form of your old books. For every £1 the charity raises, approximately 72p goes straight to funding their research. This work is absolutely vital in helping to prevent diseases that are responsible for more than a quarter of all deaths today remaining so prevalent.

Due to the current restrictions, the book banks are closed. This will change when charity shops, where they can sell the books, are allowed to reopen.

Edinburgh University Library Friends

Locations: Multiple
Website: Friends of EUL

How to Donate

An obvious place to consider when you’re looking to donate books in Edinburgh is the fabled University Library! If you think you have something extra special that needs a new home, consider the Edinburgh University Library. Simply contact the relevant Academic Support Librarian and they will be able to advise you if your donation would be appropriate.