Start a Bookstall

Increase access to free books and raise money for charity with a Free or Donate bookstall.

Venues that host a charity bookstall will also benefit by increasing community engagement and footfall. The local press will be keen to feature "the cafe, coffee shop or charity shop that gives away free books."

It's a free, effective and ethical marketing strategy.

The instructions below are for venues. If you're a person who would like to start a bookstall in your local community, please see the volunteer page.

Venues

Somewhere like a cafe, coffee shop, charity shop, community hub or retail outlet is a perfect venue for a bookstall.

How to start

The following instructions are all you need to get started.

1: Select a charity to support

Non-profit venues will raise money for their own charity. All other venues select a charity to support.

You can support any charity you wish. If you don't have a preference, I would recommend choosing a local charity, as it will resonate more with your customers.

Ask your chosen charity to supply a collection box. Most of them have volunteers who will visit at regular intervals to empty the box, so you don't have to do a thing.

Ideally, ask for two collection boxes. You can then place one next to the bookstall and one next to the till.

Optionally, you can also use a card reader or display a QR code which people can scan to donate online. The charity will advise you on how to set this up.

2: Set up the bookstall

It can be as simple as a few books on a shelf or table if you wish, but a small bookcase that offers a wider selection is the best way to create a community hub.

It's best to offer a full range of books, but you are welcome to set up a children's bookstall at any child-focused venue, if you think that would be more appropriate.

To get things started you'll need to stock it with a few books yourself, but people will soon start donating books and it's very unlikely that you'll ever run out.

Please display a sign at the bookstall. The simple wording below is perfect if you have a branded charity collection box in full view, right next to the books.

If the collection box is not located next to the books, please add that information to the sign.

The FreeorDonate.com website address must be on the sign, to give your customers the full details about taking books for free and making donations.

Please don't display any additional signs (such as "Book Swap" or "Book Exchange") that may cause confusion.

3: Post it online

When you launch the bookstall, please tell your followers on social media and tag @freeordonate in your post. I have the same username on X, Facebook and Instagram.

Please make sure that your sign is visible in the photo, and has the correct wording. I will then add your venue to my list of bookstall locations on the website.

Run a bookstall

A bookstall is very simple to run. Please see the following page for details.

Run a bookstall

Contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions.