SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
October 2025
18 Places to Donate Books and More in Singapore (2025 Update)
Preloved novels collecting dust, self-help books you’ll never read again, not to mention children’s books your kids have outgrown and old textbooks that keep piling up. Wondering what to do with all these old books you no longer need but can’t bear to just throw away? Why not pass them on to those who can give them a new lease of life? In doing so, you can declutter your home while helping to save the environment and improve the lives of others. Here’s a compilation of charities, organisations, and social platforms where you can donate books in Singapore.
BOOK DONATION DRIVES & POP-UP EVENTS
1. City Square Mall Children’s Book Donation Drive
City Square Mall invites the public to play your part in its Children’s Book Donation Drive, aimed at supporting literacy in the heart of Jalan Besar. The collection stocks the Jalan Besar Community Club Library Corner, under the Kampong Glam Division, so kids in the neighbourhood can enjoy a richer selection of pre-loved books.
Donate Children’s books of all types and in any language — think children’s picture books, storybooks, educational titles, and more. Do ensure they’re in decent reading condition.
Where/How Drop your books off daily at City Square Mall’s B2 Customer Service Counter from 10 am to 10 pm.
2. FairPrice Share-A-Textbook Project
Part of NTUC FairPrice’s ongoing effort to help needy families provide for their children’s education, it also promotes recycling and encourages thriftiness. Since 1983, the project has helped over 280,000 needy students through the collection of over 6.8 million textbooks. Stay tuned for updates on the donation drive that takes place every November.
Donate Gently-used school textbooks which are still in good condition. Do check the approved textbook list beforehand to find out if your textbooks are still part of the current syllabus. Assessment books, storybooks, and encyclopaedia are also welcome.
Where/How Drop off at all FairPrice stores islandwide, including FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra, Warehouse Club, FairPrice supermarkets, and FairPrice Xpress stores at Esso service stations. Visit their website for more details.
3. Singapore Really Really Free Market (SRRFM)
The SRRFM is a pop-up market where everything is really, really free. It aims to build community through the sharing of resources. If you have any items, services or skills that would benefit your local community — which you don’t mind giving away for free — you’re welcome to set up a stall.
Donate Items like books, toys, or clothing. You can also offer your skills or services to others (like massages, tarot readings, yoga lessons, etc).
Where/How Different locations throughout Singapore take place once every month or two. The last SRRFM was on 27 September 2025. Check their Facebook page for the next event and to learn more.
4. Tzu-Chi Community Eco Points
Tzu Chi Foundation runs an islandwide network of over 30 Eco Points. Volunteers and residents come together monthly to sort recyclables, reduce waste, and build a stronger eco-community. These collection spots also foster awareness about sustainable habits and neighbourliness. Proceeds from recycling materials support Tzu Chi’s social and environmental programmes.
Donate Books, newspapers, magazines, cartons, aluminium cans, small electrical appliances, clothing, accessories, glass bottles/containers, and hardware/metal parts.
Where/How Tzu Chi’s Environmental Sustainability Day happens every third Sunday of the month from 9am to 12pm. Just bring your sorted items to one of the Eco Points, where volunteers help with sorting and clean-up.
(See also: Finding Magic in Helping Children build Mindset, Resilience and Inner Strength through Stories)
PERMANENT PLACES TO DONATE BOOKS
5. Books Beyond Borders
While challenging himself to solo backpacking through Nepal in 2017, Randall discovered a world far from the comforts he knew growing up in Singapore. On his return, he was inspired to start Books Beyond Borders. The idea was to sell gently-read books to raise funds for educational projects in rural places needing a literacy boost.
Donate Old and new English books (fiction and non-fiction) that are still in good condition. Check their website for what they do and don’t accept, which changes from time to time.
Where/How Pack your preloved books into a recycled box and arrange a pick-up. You can also help by shopping at their bookstore, located at #01-08, 33 Erskine Road.
6. Dignity Mama
An initiative by social enterprise Project Dignity, Dignity Mama stalls sell second-hand books, managed by young adults with special needs and their parents. The project equips special needs youth with the skills and confidence to run a business, and supports their caregivers too.
Donate English books for adults and children (fiction and non-fiction), magazines like Reader’s Digest, National Geographic, and Young Scientists, and comics.
Where/How Dignity Mama kiosks are located at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (above), National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Fill up this form to arrange to drop off your books, and a Dignity Mama manager will be in touch.
7. MINDS Shop
The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) runs four thrift stores named MINDS Shop. It offers their intellectually disabled clients pre-vocational training and employment in retail and customer service. Each store carries carefully selected preloved items that deserve a new lease of life.
Donate Books, toys, clothes, shoes, accessories, lightweight furniture, kitchenware, electronic appliances, decorative items.
Where/How You can donate preloved goods — and shop — at MINDS Shops located at 800 Margaret Drive, 29 Rosyth Road, Mount Alvernia Hospital. (The outlet at 30 Woodlands Ring Road is currently closed for renovations.) You can also shop at MINDS Shop Plus at #01-29, 71 Redhill Road, and online at the MINDS eShop.
8. One Bag One Book
Award-winning poet Zakir Hossain Khokan, himself a Bangladeshi migrant worker, created a book-sharing initiative for his fellow foreign workers. As its name suggests, his aim for One Bag One Book is to put a book in every worker’s bag. Through this, he hopes to offer his peers a source of comfort — and improved literacy — while far from home.
Donate Books in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Singhalese, and other South Asian languages. Preferably novels, poetry, history, and motivational books.
Where/How To donate books, email [email protected]. Alternatively, stay tuned to their Facebook page for updates on book drives. More information at their website.
(See also: Want to build an Inclusive Society in Singapore? Start with Children)
9. Re:Nue by The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army runs programmes and social services to help meet the needs of the underprivileged in the community. Its social enterprise arm, Re:Nue (formerly Red Shield Industries), recycles donations-in-kind to generate funds through its Family Thrift Stores. So if you would like to contribute, consider donating here.
Donate They are currently not accepting books. But you may donate preloved toys, clothing, bags, shoes, furniture, household goods, sports equipment, and electronic appliances.
Where/How Drop off your items at any of the donation booths which are located all over the island. For bulkier items, you may arrange for a collection service. More details, including the locations of the booths, can be found here.
10. Share At Door Step
If you’d rather skip drop-offs, Share At Door Step offers a super convenient option. They’ll come right to your door to collect your preloved books, then transport them to vetted charity partners across Singapore. It’s a hassle-free way to pass on your books and make sure they land in appreciative hands.
Donate Children’s titles, comics, novels, non-fiction, up-to-date textbooks, dictionaries, and current magazines, all in English only. They also accept clothes, shoes, stationery, toys, bags, and furniture.
Where/How Simply schedule a pickup on their website. You have to pay a transport fee (from $19), so you can drop your donations off if you prefer.
11. Siloam Thrift Store
Part of SiloamXperience Outreach Ltd, Siloam Thrift Store is a non-profit initiative that transforms pre-loved goods into valuable resources. Guided by its ‘Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ mission, it diverts usable items from landfills while supporting vulnerable communities. Its Pay-It-4ward programme lets low-income families ‘shop’ for essentials at no cost, while sales proceeds help fund local outreach and reintegration efforts.
Donate Books and other gently used items, from clothes, shoes, handbags, and toys to small appliances, electronics, and household goods.
Where/How To contribute, simply book a donation slot through their website before visiting. The store is located at #05-15/16 A’Posh BizHub, 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1.
12. Thryft
An online thrift store, Thryft is dedicated to recirculating quality books and clothes responsibly. It uses sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral shipping, and also contributes credits from books you donate and an additional 1% of profits to non-profit organisations. If you prefer to shop and donate in person, drop by Thryft Hub at #01-15, 120 Lower Delta Road.
Donate Any English titles, including fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, tertiary-level textbooks, religious texts, reference books, and dictionaries, as well as clothes in good condition, selected toys, games, electronics, and sporting goods.
Where/How Drop off your items at Thryft Hub (by appointment only). For over 200 items, you can arrange for a pick-up service for a flat fee of $12 per box (up to 10kg). You can also choose to trade in your items for Thryft credits. More details on their website.
(See also: Things at Home that You Can Recycle (which you probably didn’t know you could))
FACEBOOK GROUPS & MOBILE APPS
13. Books Don’t Throw (Singapore)
At 119,200 members and counting, Books Don’t Throw (Singapore) is the largest local book-sharing Facebook group. The group admins hope to promote reading, reduce waste, and spread kindness by giving books a second lease of life. The result is a friendly community where members often share reading-related memes or tips on maintaining books.
Donate Any and all books, magazines, even music scores. School test papers and enrichment centre materials — as well as disrespectful or spammy behaviour — are a huge no-no, however.
Where/How Join the Facebook group and post photos and details of what you want to barter or give away. When other group members indicate their interest, you can make mutual arrangements for collection.
14. BUY SELL KIDS BOOKS @ Sg Book Swap
This Facebook group is specifically for parents in Singapore who have preloved children’s books to sell. You can also choose to swap books your children no longer read for other titles from fellow parents. Of course, you might simply prefer to ‘bless’ someone else with the books.
Donate Any books suitable for children. No toys or educational aids, except flashcards.
Where/How Join the Facebook group and post photos and price of what you want to sell or swap. When interested buyers comment on your post, you can make mutual arrangements to complete the transaction.
15. School Kaki
Started by a group of parents, School Kaki is a Facebook group for those looking to share used school-related items. It has also spawned a Telegram channel. No exchange of money is permitted, as it is not a charity, but a platform for sharing and giving.
Donate Used textbooks, assessment books, uniforms, school bags, and stationery. Anything a student needs is welcome.
Where/How Join the Facebook group and/or Telegram channel. Simply make a post about what you wish to share, and those who are interested can get in touch.
16. Olio
With over 8 million Olio-ers worldwide, Olio is one of the most popular freecycling apps in Singapore. While most know it as a food-sharing platform, it also has a non-food section, where you can give and get anything just about anything you can think of. Pass on what you don’t need to someone who does, and help save the earth while you’re at it!
Donate Books, clothes, toys, food, and anything else you no longer need.
Where/How Download the Olio mobile app and create an account. Simply snap a photo of your items and post it with a pick-up location, then check your messages. Someone near you who’s interested will reach out.
(See also: How to be an Eco-Conscious Parent in Singapore: Tiffany Wee, naturopath and nutritionist)
LIBRARIES
17. Little Libraries
Many more community libraries continue to pop up at void decks in various neighbourhoods islandwide. Besides those run by Residents’ Committees (RC), many are set up by kind-hearted individuals. Open to the public, anyone is welcome to borrow or exchange books. But as no one is obligated to return them, shelves may sometimes run dry. Hence this is another avenue via which you can donate books in Singapore.
Here’s a map of ‘little libraries’ that was kindly compiled by Recyclopedia.sg. Or check out the Little Libraries Singapore Facebook group. Do note that the information is not exhaustive and subject to change at any time.
18. Public Libraries
Did you know that you can even donate your preloved books at National Library Board libraries in Singapore? Many of our public libraries have Book Exchange Corners. You can drop off your books at these dedicated shelves for fellow book lovers to pick up and enjoy.
- Ang Mo Kio Public Library
- Bedok Public Library
- Bishan Public Library
- Geylang East Public Library
- Jurong Regional Library
- Queenstown Public Library
- Toa Payoh Public Library
- Woodlands Regional Library
(See also: 10 Super Kid-friendly Libraries in Singapore which have more than just books)
Before You Give…
Before you donate books or other preloved items to any organisation, check out their latest donation policies. It’ll give you a better idea of the types of books (and other items) that they need, especially since their requirements may change every so often. Also, check your items for wear and tear, and do your part to make volunteers’ jobs easier by organising and packing them in groups that go together. Happy giving!
Featured image: Depositphotos
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