Exterior of Waterloo Public Library's Main Library

Donate to Your Library

A donation to your library makes great things happen. Learn about the ways we use your gifts to make WPL even better.

Making a Donation is Easy

Send a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation via CanadaHelps.

Donate Now
Kids crafting during a library program

How We Use Your Donations

Community Building

Special events bring our community together in celebration and learning. An investment in your library is an investment in connections and belonging.

Our Sharing Economy

Our special lending collections create opportunities to try new hobbies or access unaffordable tools and equipment. From ice skates to telescopes, sewing machines to instruments, our special collections make it easy to check out cool resources. An investment in your library is an investment in sustainable consumption and community sharing.

Bridge the Digital Divide

Access to new technology and support using it helps our whole community develop the skills they need for work and life. An investment in your library is an investment in equitable digital access for everyone.

Beautiful Public Spaces

The library is shared space where everyone is welcome. Whether it is public art or experiences of music and dance your gifts help us to make experiences of creative expression accessible. An investment in your library is an investment in arts and culture.

Major Gifts and Legacy Giving

Whether you want to include WPL in your will, make a significant one-time contribution or support the library with a gift of publicly traded securities, the Waterloo Region Community Foundation can support you. Annual revenue from the WPL Endowment Fund sustains initiatives like our Summer Reading Club and ensures these valuable initiatives remain for years to come.

You can contribute to the WPL Endowment Fund by contacting:
Waterloo Region Community Foundation
260 King Street West, Unit 206
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1B6
Telephone: 519-725-1806
www.wrcf.ca

Tax Numbers
WRCF Charitable Tax Number: 13217-0994 RR0001
WPL Charitable Tax Number: 10819-2113 RR0001

For more information about donations and sponsorships, contact:
Anjana Kipfer – Manager, Marketing & Communications at akipfer@wpl.ca

Donation FAQs

  • Can I make a donation in person?

    Yes! To make a donation in-person, see staff at your favourite WPL location. Cash, cheque, debit, VISA and Mastercard are accepted.

    View Locations and Hours

  • Can I make a donation by mail?

    Yes! You can mail a cheque (made payable to Waterloo Public Library).

    Please address the envelope to:

    Waterloo Public Library
    35 Albert Street
    Waterloo, ON N2L 5E2
    ATTN: Kelly Kipfer, CEO

    To learn more about cash donations, contact Anjana Kipfer, Manager, Marketing & Communications at akipfer@wpl.ca

     

  • Do you provide a tax receipt for donations to the library?

    Tax receipts will be provided for donations over $10.00.

  • What is your charitable tax number?

    WPL Charitable Tax Number: 10819-2113 RR0001

  • Can I donate books & other materials to the library?

    We accept donations of recently published books (less than five years old) and other materials in very good condition.

    What is accepted?

    • Books in English for adults, teens or children, including popular fiction and non-fiction in hardcover, mass market and trade paperback
    • Board games and puzzles in new condition

    What is not accepted?

    • Other material, including DVDs, CDs, magazines, computer books, textbooks, encyclopedias and multilingual material
    • Sports equipment
    • Books that are in poor condition (worn, torn, underlined, highlighted, dusty, mouldy, yellowed)

    Some donated materials are used as replacement copies or additions to the library collection, and other materials are sold at the Main Library book sale. Proceeds of the book sale go toward library programs and services.

    Please note there is a limit of 5 items per customer.

    Tax receipts are not issued for donated items.

  • Are there other organizations in the area that accept book donations?

    The following organizations may be interested in donations.  Please contact them first to determine whether they can take your items.

    • Canadian Federation of University Women
    • K-W Book Exchange, 308 King St. W., Kitchener 519-742-1261
    • Old Goat Books, 99 King St. N., Waterloo 519-880-9595
    • Second Look Books, 31 King St. W., Kitchener 519-744-2274
    • U of W Used Book Store, Student Life Centre, Waterloo 519-888-4567 x 32390

    Charities

    These groups accept books as donations and many offer a pick-up service. Note that the Mennonite Central Committee does not accept textbooks or encyclopedias.

    • Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy: 1-888-238-6327
    • Diabetes Society: 1-800-238-6327
    • Mennonite Central Committee: 519-745-8458
    • Salvation Army – donation pickup: 1-888-333-1229