Donation of Material to WPL
WPL’s Donations Policy
The library receives thousands of book donations every year. Many of them can be incorporated into our collection, but others are duplicates of what we already own or are not in suitable condition. We try and find a good home for every book we receive, or we will add a donated book to the library’s booksale to raise funds for collections, services and programs.
Due to the volume of materials we receive, we will only be accepting items that are in good condition and that fall into one of the following categories:
- Hardcover books that have been published in the current year
- Paperbacks that have been published in the current year
- Local History materials that can be added to the Ellis Little Local History Collection
- Works by local authors
- DVDs, CDs, recorded books, and language kits
If you have material donations that do not fall into one of the categories listed above, please contact one of the organizations below to determine if they can accept your items.
For more information on material donations for the library, please call Deb Barrett at 519-886-1310 ext. 160.
Other Organizations Looking for Books
Charities
These groups accept books as donations, and many offer a pick-up service. Note that the Mennonite Central Committee does not accept textbooks or encyclopedias.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of K-W 519-579-5150
Canadian Federation of University Women 519-740-5249
Cerebral Palsy 1-888-238-6327
Diabetes Society 1-877-505-0552
Goodwill 519-894-0628
House of Friendship 519-742-8327
Mennonite Central Committee 519-743-5021
Salvation Army 519-886-3020
Hospitals, Nursing Homes etc.
The following are looking for books for their patients, residents etc.
Beechwood Manor 519-746-1560
Freeport 519-893-2710 ext. 7174
Literacy Group of Waterloo Region 519-743-6090
The following is looking for large print books only.
Pinehaven 519-885-6990
The following are looking for magazines only.
Grand River Hospital 519-749-4300 ext. 2613
St. Mary’s Hospital 519-749-6551
Local Used Book Stores
These stores will buy and/or trade. Phone first before taking in your used items.
The Bookworm, 65 University Ave. W., Waterloo 519-885-0473
Casablanca Books, 146 King St. W., Kitchener 519-576-0026
K-W Book Exchange, 308 King St. W., Kitchener 519-742-1261
Old Goat Books, 99 King St. N., Waterloo 519-880-9595
Second Look Books, 22 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-744-2274
U of W Used Book Store, Student Life Centre, Waterloo 519-888-4567 x 2390
Recycling
No one likes to discard a book, but sometimes the condition of the book requires this. Hardcover books, paperbacks, magazines and telephone books may be recycled through the local Blue Box program. Just bundle similar items together. For more information on recycling, phone 519-883-5100 or visit the Region of Waterloo’s website.
