Donate books
If you’re a publisher or bookseller with new books to donate, we would love to hear from you.
Please note that we cannot accept second-hand books.
Your books are something to celebrate
Many people in the communities where we work have never seen or held a new book. When these communities receive new books, it is a revelation for readers:
There are places in Kenya where a child touches a book for the first time and actually smells it. Because this is a new book. They are so used to hand-me-downs. They may not even know how to read, but the fact that they can flip through a new book with colourful pages makes them light up!
Sarah Ogembo, Kenyan Librarian
The books we need
Last year, 111 publishers supported our work through donations of overstocks, office copies and returns. Our supporters include Bloomsbury Publishing, Hachette UK, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Oxford University Press, Penguin Random House, RELX Elsevier and Sage Publications.
We support readers of all ages and educational levels. Some are just learning to read as adults, others are studying for advanced degrees. We need books for all of these readers, especially in the following categories:
- Children’s
- Further education
- Higher education
- Medicine, health and social care
- EFL and reference books
- Leisure reading
Discuss your donation
Contact us:
Partner profile: RELX Group
Since 1990, RELX has shared the power of books with thousands of readers globally by donating both books and funds to our work.
We have had a strategic partnership for over ten years and counting because of Book Aid International’s focus on impact and effectiveness
Dr Márcia Balisciano MBE, Director of Corporate Responsibility, RELX Group
Find out more
Why don’t you accept second-hand books?
Sadly we can’t accept second-hand book donations from any sources – even if they’re in great condition.
This is because of how we select and send books. We only send books at our partners’ requests, and by working with publishers we can make sure that we acquire the books that our partners need.
Find out how you can support us if you have second-hand books.
Can publishers donate single-use items?
We can’t accept single-use items like colouring books or sticker books. We’re here to help as many people as possible discover the power of books, and that means providing books that can be read over and over again.
Where do the books go?
Wherever people need them most! Your books could end up in libraries, schools, universities, medical colleges, refugee camps – or even in a mobile library pulled along by a donkey.
We work with over 150 partners worldwide to make sure that each community receives the books its readers need. We only work outside the UK, and we never sell books on.
Can we donate non-English books?
Absolutely – we’re always happy to accept French, Arabic and Farsi books from publishers.
How do I get books to you?
Just get in touch and we’ll guide you through everything you need to do to deliver books to our London warehouse. To discuss your donation, contact our Head of Operations Harry Boughton: harry.boughton@bookaid.org, 020 7326 5824.
Ready to start a conversation about donating books?
Contact Simon Mercer, our Stock Acquisition Manager: