Give

Want to support EPL through volunteering, but aren't sure you can make a long-term commitment? Most volunteer opportunities at the Edmonton Public Library require an ongoing commitment from individual volunteers. However, we are pleased to offer a one-time volunteer opportunity for corporate organizations!

Corporate groups of 6 or more can volunteer for special one-time projects such as preparing kits for our Summer Reading Club or leading a book drive to support our ongoing Books2Buy Sales. The actual activity will depend on the time of the year, and will be agreed upon in advance of confirming the volunteer day.

We ask that corporate volunteer groups make a donation of $1,000 (or more) in their name to participate in the volunteer program, with the money going to support EPL's priority projects!

A huge thanks to our 2019 Corporate Volunteer groups:

Update: We are not accepting donated materials at this time to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Edmonton Public Library is happy to accept donations of books and other library materials. Although we are unable to add donated material to our collection, the funds generated from the sale of these materials at our Book Sales are used to enhance EPL collections and services.

What to Donate

We are happy to accept the following items:

• Gently used books (paperbacks and hardcovers)
• Comic books and graphic novels
• CDs, DVDs and Audiobooks in their original packaging
• Recent Playstation, Xbox and Wii games in their original packaging
• Textbooks and study guides published within the last four years

We do not accept the following items:

• Books in poor condition (i.e. yellowed, worn, dusty, damp, mouldy, torn or smelly)
• CDs, DVDs, Audiobooks or videogames without their original packaging
• Encyclopedias
• Textbooks or study guides older than four years
• Specialized journals
• Magazines
• Cassettes, VHS or vinyl records
• Computer software
• Burned or sample CDs or DVDs
• eBooks

Please check over each item to ensure it meets our donation requirements. When in doubt, give only what you would consider good quality for your own use. Handling and disposing of unwanted materials costs EPL money.

Where to Donate

Most branches of the Edmonton Public Library can accept donations of books and library materials, with the exception of our eplGO locations: Heritage Valley, McConachie and West Henday Promenade.

Donations must be made in our designated, standard size, packing boxes. Visit your local branch to collect the number of boxes needed for your donation, then return them back to the branch when filled. If you have a large amount to donate, we recommend calling ahead to ensure that the branch you'd like to donate at has space for new material. We also ask that you ensure that the boxes are closed flat and taped once they are filled.

EPL is unable to do home pick ups of materials. Generally, charitable tax receipts will not be issued for donated library materials.

Please contact us at give@epl.ca if you have any questions about donating materials to EPL.

A donation made in someone’s name is a heartfelt way to celebrate an occasion or remember someone special.

Your donation helps fund the innovative programs and projects that make our great library even better.

By making a gift in someone’s name, you help others in your community enjoy the gift of the Library.

When you give in honour of someone, we’ll send a card to them or their family letting them know of your gift.

• Celebrations: A gift to the Library is a wonderful way to celebrate milestones such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. Give a donation as a gift or if you’re hosting a celebration, ask guests to donate to the Library in your name in lieu of gifts.
• Holidays: Seasonal holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day – whatever the occasion, a donation to EPL in someone’s name is meaningful way to show your love.
• In Memory: Remember a loved one by making a donation in their name. If you wish, we can mail or email a card to family members to let them know of your gift.

You can ensure Edmontonians will continue to enjoy EPL for many years to come by making a planned gift today.

Leaving a bequest in your will or establishing a fund with our good friends at the Edmonton Community Foundation are just a few ways you can build a legacy for EPL.

The Edmonton Public Library has also partnered with LawDepot to offer an easy way for donors to leave either a specific monetary amount or the residue of their estate to EPL in their Last Will and Testament.

Founded in Edmonton, LawDepot is a leading publisher of do-it-yourself legal documents and has been in the industry for 15 years. You can leave a planned gift to EPL by creating your Last Will and Testament with LawDepot by following the step-by-step online questionnaire.

Under Specific Gifts or Residue add The City of Edmonton Library Board under “name of charity” and 11923 1033 RR0001 for the charity registration number. And if you already have a Last Will and want to leave a legacy gift to EPL, you can create a Gift Deed instead.

EPL brings people together and you can too!

Here are some ideas:

• Read-a-thons (gather pledges for each book read)
• Golf tournaments, walk-a-thons, road races, bowl-a-thons
• Bike for books
• Garage sales, yard sales, estate sales
• Company product or service sales

Have an idea you’d like to share or need more information? We’re here to help! For more information about holding an event to support EPL, please contact us and we'll send you our community fundraising information package.