What we accept

General Requirements

We can only accept donations of books that are in good to excellent condition and that are likely to sell.

Our sales raise funds to support programming offered by our Ottawa Public Library. Your serious consideration of the quality of the books you are donating is important. Our storage and recycling facilities are limited and the time of OPL staff and Friends volunteers is precious.

PLEASE ASK YOURSELF IF YOU WOULD BUY THE BOOKS YOU ARE DONATING.

Non-fiction books can become dated and some categories of books are unlikely to sell if they are more than 8 years old. FOPLA store Managers can give modified instructions to local branch OPL staff.

See below for detailed guidance:

Books are to be in good to excellent condition.

PLEASE:

  • No water damage, stains, mildew/musty smells, or dirt;

  • Books must not have torn, missing pages, or badly yellowed pages;

  • No loose or broken bindings;

  • No sign of insect infestation or mold;

The ONLY Materials We Will Accept:

  • Books that contain an ISBN number (clean and in excellent condition)

  • Mass Market paperbacks, Softcover (Trade) fiction

  • Hardcover fiction  (English, French or other languages)

  • Non-Fiction – All Topics ( English, French, or other languages)

  • Children’s and teen’s books that are in excellent condition (English, French, and other languages)

  • Textbooks and Study Guides (less than 10 years old)

  • Biographies/Memoirs (less than 10 years old)

  • Computer, Technology or Programming books ( less than 8 years old)

  • Health/ Medicine, Fitness/Diet, Self-Help books (less than 8 years old)

  • Science books

  • Travel Guides (less than 8 years old)

  • Large print books (any type)

  • Graphic novels (all languages)

  • Travel writing, guides, and picture books

  • Jigsaw puzzles

  • CDs and DVDs

Other Categories:

  • Antiquarian, rare or collectible books pre-1950

  • Classic literature

  • Poetry

  • Large print books (any type)

  • Graphic novels (any language) and bandes dessinées

  • Music books and sheet music

  • Art books

  • DVDs, CDs, and audio books

  • Jigsaw puzzles

  • Old maps and curiosities in good condition

If you have unusual or valuable items you would like to donate please call us to discuss.

PLEASE:

No Vinyl Records, Encyclopedias, Magazines, Coffee Table Books, Directories, Annuals, Yearbooks, Reports, or Reader’s Digest Condensed Books

(N.B. some FOPLA stores accept these – check with your local branch/Friends store)

THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THESE REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORTING OUR OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Your gently used items make a huge difference to Ottawa’s public library community, and we thank you for your donation. Click here to find out more about what FOPLA does with your donations.