We welcome book donations to our Dorset libraries.
Before bringing your books into a library, please read the following information:
We accept:
- books that are less than five years old
- books in good, clean condition
- recently published fiction and non-fiction
- children’s books and popular titles
We may also accept books with Dorset or local interest, even if older than 5 years, where the content is of value to the collection.
Please note, we may not be able to accept all items offered.
We are unable to accept:
- books in poor or damaged condition
- audio or visual items, such as CDs or DVDs
- self published items that have been sent to us without prior agreement
If you are unsure, please speak to a member of staff before bringing your donations in.
How to donate
Bring your books to one of our libraries during our opening hours. Donations must be handed to a member of the library staff.
If you have a larger donation, we recommend emailing your local library in advance.
All donations are assessed in line with our collection development policy.
What happens to your donation
There is a cost involved in preparing donated items for the library, including cataloguing and making them ready for shelving.
Once donated, items become part of Dorset Libraries’ stock. Depending on their suitability, they may be:
- added to library collections
- passed on to a third party for reuse or sale
- recycled or otherwise disposed of
Dorset Libraries reserve the right to dispose of donated material as appropriate.
We cannot guarantee that an item will be added to stock, or that it will remain in a particular library.
Self-published works
We are sometimes offered self‑published books. These are not routinely accepted.
If a self‑published item is to be considered, the author must demonstrate that it is accurate, professionally produced, and legally compliant. Due to staff capacity, we are not able to review all items.
The only exception is material with strong Dorset or local relevance, which may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.