DONATING BOOKS
Do the East Libraries accept book donations?
While we do occasionally accept book donations, we do find that at certain times we simply have too many to cope with.
Any books donated to the library should fit the following criteria:
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In excellent condition (no brown edges, water stained/torn pages, or books that have been written in)
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Are current and not out-dated (non-fiction books should not have been published more than 5 years ago)
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Meet the collection development policy of the library, in alignment with the school curriculum and pedagogical approaches.
Please check with the library staff before donating preloved books. Please do not leave your books at, or outside the library, or in the drop box. We find it very difficult to dispose of unwanted books.
If your books do meet these conditions, and you have checked with the library staff, please deliver them in person to the primary or secondary library. The library reserves the right to use or dispose of donated books in whatever way that they deem appropriate. This may include passing them on to others, or re-purposing them for art or recycling projects.
Where can I donate my pre-loved books?
Due to space and time constraints, the east libraries may not always be able to accept used books.
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However, you can donate them to east campus's Parents' Association for The Family Festival at East, typically held in March. The PA generally begins accepting book donations at the end of February. For more details, please contact them at paeastffcommunications@gapps.uwcsea.edu.sg to discuss book donations.
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Other organisations that are open to book donations are:​​
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Books Beyond Borders: sells gently-read books to raise funds for educational projects in rural places needing a literacy boost. Check their website for what they do and don’t accept.
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Dignity Mama: An initiative by social enterprise Project Dignity. Fill in this form to arrange to drop off your books, and a Dignity Mama manager will be in touch.
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One Bag One Book: the aim for One Bag One Book is to put a book in every migrant worker’s bag. Donate books in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Singhalese, and other South Asian languages. Preferably novels, poetry, history, and motivational books.
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Red Shield Industries by The Salvation Army: Drop off your items at any of the Donation-In-Kind booths. Locations of the booths can be found here.
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Thryft Asia: Dedicated to recirculating quality, preloved books, items, and clothes responsibly. Please see their book donation guidelines and their drop-off/courier details here.
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Books Don’t Throw (Singapore): Books Don’t Throw (Singapore) is the largest local book-sharing Facebook group. Join the Facebook group and post photos and details of what you want to barter or give away. ​​
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Here is a list of organisations that are open to receiving bigger quantities of books from time to time:
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Bookreach: sends books to needy schools in East Malaysia
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Closetful of Books: Accepts and distributes books to appropriate groups in Singapore
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p: +65 6908 5510
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PNG Partnerships for Improving Education: Sends books to Papua New Guinea
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CSB Rohingya Refugee School: in Johor, Malaysia. Has very specific needs.
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Please contact the Junior School Office at UWCSEA East.
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Alternatively, you may wish to set up a Carousell account for free and post listings and details of books or magazines you want to trade or give away. Carousell is a popular online marketplace app that facilitates the buying and selling of new and secondhand goods.
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Please contact us if you discover other places accepting book donations. We will update this page with your suggestions.