De-cluttering - where to donate books?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1
Hi All,

I am starting to do some spring cleaning and trying to de-clutter a bit on the homefront. Was wondering...outside of the "Brockenhaus", would there be any places in zurich (specifically charities, libraries, etc) that may be interested in donated books?

I do not think I will have that many, but I can't bear to throw them away...I did that in my last move and still feel bad about it (like you are throwing away knowledge - okay - that's a bit dramatic but I am sure some of you know what I mean).

Thanks in advance for any insights.

M.

2
Perhaps the EF Library will take them? Link to thread.

3
I give mine to charity or the public library in Parkersburg.

4
Our local Brockenhaus has English books for sale.

5
Thanks Capacitrix - will try to organize and see if anything I have would be useful for the EF library.

6
Hi! I know what you mean about throwing out books - I will only toss them if I think they are horrible, otherwise I try my hardest not to!

What about a school? For example, ICSZ, in Zumikon, has a fairly large English library and they gladly accept donations. If they do not need the books, they have a partnership with a charity that will donate the books to Africa.

Or the American Women's Club? Or the English library connected with a women's club in Uster?

7
Saw an ad today in Hello Switzerland: English books wanted for Mongolia. All types of English books needed in good condition and less than 10 yrs old. Contact Anita Fahrni, Obere Halde 18, 8546 Islikon [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

8
Does anyone know of a place to donate english books in Neuchatel, Switzerland?

9
Old thread, but maybe worthwhile trying again....?

I am also in the process of decluttering my flat and want to donate my books. Does anyone has any ideas of where to go in Zurich - other than the mentioned above?

Even though this is an _english_ forum, would anyone have also know if there is any institution accepting books in Portuguese and Spanish?

Thank you in advance for your answer,

Lucy.

10
Would be interested to know if someone has pointers for Lausanne ? Inquired at the public library at Chauderon but they refused .

11
For public libraries (even those in the schools) taking books and examining them to decide whether to keep them or not might cost more than buying them if they need more.

I don't know whether asking directly to a medium/high school library is any different since they are in the same system, I guess it would depend on the local librarian.

12
I take mine to http://buecher-brocky.ch/zurich-2/

It is in Enge, very close to the Bahnhof, opposite the post office. They take many different languages and have a good English section

13
The easiest thing really is to just take your books to Caritas, Emmaus or the Renfile, possibly the Salvation Army depot if there's one on your area.

Most public libraries are not allowed to put donated books onto their shelves (processing and preparing them for the shelves takes time and so costs money), they're either thrown away or put into a box by the entrance marked 'help yourself'.

14
The Scottish Church gladly accepts books. You can give them a call or email.

avenue de Rumine 26

CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland

+41 (0)21 323 98 28

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

They have a big sale of English books once or twice a year (from memory) to raise money.

Here is the link. They are in the downtown area.

http://www.scotskirklausanne.ch/

15
Many towns have once or twice a year a "bring und holtag" - a day where you can deposit used but working stuff and if you want to pick up unwanted stuff from others. They usually take books, but might not want outdated computer manuals for example.

I just saw that the one in Thalwil, ten mins from Zürich, is on Saturday Sep 3rd. The books will be collected on Saturday and they have a book market on Sunday. http://www.thalwil.ch/dl.php/de/57aa...usatzinfos.pdf