Last updated: July 2026
In Sydney, you can donate books to Vinnies (13 18 12) or Salvos stores (13 72 58), or leave them in a Street Library near you. All charities require books in good, sellable condition: no water damage, mould, missing pages, or staining. Books that don't pass that check have other options.
Key facts:
- Vinnies shops support over 1.3 million vulnerable Australians each year through the proceeds of donated goods.
- Salvos Stores confirm: "if there's something wrong with it then we can't sell it". Damaged books cost charities money to dispose of rather than raising funds.
- There are 6,318 Street Libraries across Australia, with a free map at streetlibrary.org.au to find your nearest one.
Charities
St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)
Drop books at your local Vinnies shop during business hours, or use a Vinnies donation bin in your area. Call 13 18 12 to find your nearest location.
Vinnies accepts books, CDs, DVDs and other media in good condition.
The Vinnies shops fund programs that support over 1.3 million vulnerable Australians each year.
The Salvation Army (Salvos)
Salvos Stores accept books, along with CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, clothing, and homewares.
Condition rule: Salvos won't sell anything broken, damaged, ripped, stained, or faulty. Drop donations off during store hours. Leaving goods outside stores after hours is illegal and creates a public hazard.
Call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) to find your nearest Salvos store or arrange a large-item collection.
The Smith Family
The Smith Family supports disadvantaged students through education programs. Their goods donation page was unavailable at time of writing (2026-07-01). Call 1300 326 459 or check thesmithfamily.com.au before dropping off books to verify they are currently accepting donations.
Local Libraries
City of Sydney Library
The City of Sydney Library has 11 branches across the city, including Newtown, Surry Hills, Kings Cross, Glebe, Green Square, and Darling Square.
Contact the library to ask whether they are accepting donations: 02 9265 9333 or library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
The specific donation policy (for example, whether they accept general books or historical-value books only) could not be verified from available pages as of July 2026. Call 02 9265 9333 or email library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au before bringing a donation.
Street Libraries
Street Libraries are free community book boxes found in parks, front gardens, and public spaces. Anyone can take or leave a book.
There are 6,318 street libraries across Australia. To find your nearest one, use the map at streetlibrary.org.au.
Do charities accept all books?
No. Both Vinnies and Salvos are clear: they can only resell items in good condition, and anything unsellable costs them money to dispose of.
Before dropping books off, check for:
- Water damage or mould: skip the donation
- Missing or torn pages: skip the donation
- Outdated textbooks (e.g. pre-2010 editions): call first, most charities won't sell them
- Heavy writing or highlighting throughout: skip the donation
- Damaged or missing covers: skip the donation
Clean, readable, and reasonably current books are fine. Paperbacks in good condition, novels, children's books, cookbooks, and reference books are commonly accepted.
If you're unsure, call your local Vinnies on 13 18 12 or Salvos on 13 72 58 before making the trip.
What to do with books charities won't take
Books with water damage, mould, or missing pages can't be donated. Check with your local council before putting damaged books in the yellow recycling bin. Most Sydney councils accept clean paper and cardboard, but heavily soiled or mouldy books may need to go in general waste.
If you have a large pile of books to clear, whether all books are in donatable condition or not, Paul's Rubbish Removal can collect them from your home across Sydney. Free quote: 0407 125 125.
Frequently asked questions
Does St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) accept books?
Yes. Vinnies shops accept books, CDs, DVDs, and other media in good condition. Drop them at a Vinnies shop during business hours or use a donation bin in your area. Call 13 18 12 to find your nearest shop.
What do I do with books I don't want?
If the books are in good condition, donate them to Vinnies, Salvos, or a Street Library near you. If they're too worn to donate, check with your local council whether books are accepted in the yellow recycling bin. A rubbish removal service can collect books that are neither donatable nor recyclable as part of a general clear-out.
Can I put books in the recycling bin?
Check with your local council before recycling books. Most Sydney councils accept paper and cardboard in the yellow recycling bin, but heavily damaged books with mould or water damage should go in general waste. Your council's waste guide or helpline can confirm what they accept.
Does the Salvation Army take books?
Yes. Salvos Stores accept books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records. The condition rule is strict: nothing broken, damaged, ripped, stained, or faulty. Call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) for your nearest store.
