Donate books

If you’re a publisher or bookseller with new books to donate, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can share the power of books

Our work is only possible because of the generosity of publishers and the book trade. Every year publishers donate all kinds of books to us – and those books help people worldwide see their future in a whole new light. Here’s how the process works:

We find out what books are needed

We have 185 partners, and each tells us exactly which books their communities need.

You donate brand new books to our London warehouse

Contact us to talk about what books you have and set a time for your donation.

We send books to communities around the world

After you donate the books, we’ll provide them to communities around the world.

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
A young reader in Kenya’s rural Lagam community with a donated book

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:

Book Aid International
Simon Mercer07771 835 779

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
A shipment of books on its way to readers thanks to support from RELX

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.

 Where we work

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.

How we select and send books

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:

Book Aid International
Clair Bradley07771 835 779