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Address donations and returns to the branch by name, include a note naming the sender and the contents, and check the branch's donation rules before you ship. Many libraries accept mailed returns but limit donations by condition and subject, and unsolicited boxes can be refused. A LetterAgent Xpresspost label covers Canada-only parcels up to 5 kg.
Often, yes, but confirm it with the branch first. Many library systems accept returns by post, especially for patrons who live far away or cannot visit in person, and some even supply a prepaid return label for interlibrary loans. Address the parcel to the specific branch that lent the items, not to the system headquarters, since a parcel sent to the wrong branch can take weeks to be checked in. Include your library card number on a note inside, so staff can clear your account even if the outside label is damaged. Keep tracking until the items show as returned: late fees in some systems keep accruing until check-in, not until mailing.
Call or email the branch before you pack anything. Donation rules vary widely: some branches welcome recent fiction and children's books, others accept only items for their annual sale, and many refuse textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines, and books in poor condition outright. A box of mouldy or water-damaged books can be a health problem for staff who open it, and it will be discarded. Ask how many books they can take at once, whether they want a list of titles first, and whether they issue a donation receipt. Sending a short list ahead lets them decline politely before you pay postage, which is cheaper for everyone.
| Shipment type | Address it to | Include inside |
|---|---|---|
| Borrowed book return | The lending branch, by name | Library card number and a note saying "return" |
| Book donation | The branch, attention donations | Sender name, contact, and a list of titles |
| Interlibrary loan return | The address on the loan paperwork | The loan slip, if one was provided |
| Archival or special material | The named librarian or department | A cover letter explaining the gift |
Pack books the same way you would for any book shipment: wrap each one, stand them spine-down, fill every gap, and use a sturdy box, since books get heavy fast. Split large donations across several boxes under the weight limit rather than loading one carton until it groans. For returns, keep any inserts that came with the book, such as a due-date slip, inside the front cover. If you are returning items from more than one library system, use separate parcels: mixing systems in one box guarantees confusion at check-in, and one system cannot easily forward another's books.
International library shipments follow the same rules as other international parcels: customs forms, honest contents descriptions, and possible duties on the receiving end. Donations to libraries abroad are usually better handled through an organization that already ships books internationally, since a single parcel from a private sender can face customs delays and fees the library did not budget for. LetterAgent labels are Canada-only, so a parcel to a library outside Canada needs a carrier label bought another way. For a Canadian branch, though, a LetterAgent Xpresspost label covers parcels up to 5 kg, with the price quoted up front for your approval.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
LetterAgent is a working name. Prices include print, postage, and our service fee. US prices in USD, Canadian prices in CAD (Canadian prices exclude applicable sales tax, added at checkout). Currently in private testing.
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