One of New England's largest used book sales, held every spring since 1962.
More than 40,000 carefully sorted books in good condition encompassing all genres, along with rare volumes, DVDs, BluRays, audiobooks, jigsaw puzzles and other oddities.
Revenue goes to scholarships for high school students from Vermont and New Hampshire to attend Mount Holyoke, Simmons, Smith, Vassar, Wellesley.
PLEASE NOTE: In 2023, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of having the sorting operation and the sale in one location as did our many loyal patrons. Unfortunately, this is not possible for 2025, so we are grateful to be returning to Lebanon High School for a 3 day sale.
4/18 Friday 9 am to 5 pm
4/19 Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
4/20 Sunday 9 am to 3 pm (Half Price Day)
Everyone is welcome during all hours.
Find Out MoreThe mission of the Five Colleges Book Sale is to raise scholarship funds for NH and VT students to attend Vassar, Smith, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, and Simmons.
The Five Colleges Book Sale is a 501c3 organization operating to provide scholarships for students from New Hampshire and Vermont to Mount Holyoke, Simmons, Wellesley, Smith, and Vassar since 1962. To date, we have funded more than 300 scholarships. We are excited to be entering our 61st sale year.
More than 40,000 carefully sorted books in good condition encompassing all genres, along with rare volumes, media, jigsaw puzzles and other oddities can be found at the sale for reasonable prices.
Our 300 loyal volunteers make the sale happen each year and include alumni from the five colleges and our many friends. Volunteers come from all over New Hampshire and Vermont and from other states.
We work with many Upper Valley partners to offer a successful sale event:
Tidal Media Group
WS Development
SAU 88
Famous Footwear
CVS
Home Goods
Lebanon Solid Waste & Recycling Center
Ruggerio Trash & Recycling
Lebanon Police & Departments
Mascoma Bank
Blood's Seafood, Catering & Party Rental
Gnomon Copy
RPM New Hampshire – Records, Memorabilia, & Posters
Lebanon Fire & Police Departments
Quail Hollow Senior Living
The Valley News
Jake’s Market & Deli
Lebanon High School
Hanover Rotary Club
Custom Moving & Storage
Top Stitch Embroidery
Book categories may change as we receive book collections in specific categories, a large quantity of interesting books that we wish to highlight, or special items that our generous donors provide.
Americana & Native Americans
Archaeology & Ancient World
Architecture
Art, Antiques & Collectibles
Audiovisuals - CDs & DVDs
Biography & Memoirs
Business & Economics
Children's & Young Adult Literature
Classics
Collectible Illustrators & Books
Cookbooks & Food Literature
Environmental Issues
Family & Relationships
Farming & Homesteading
Fiction - Hardback
Fiction - Paperback
Foreign Languages
Gardening & Horticulture
Gender & Sexuality
Gift Books
Good Reads
Graphic Novels/Anime/Manga
Health & Wellness
History - Military
History - United States & World
Hobbies, Crafts & Games
Holidays
Homeschooling
House & Home
Humor & Cartoons
Language Arts & Disciplines
Large Print
Literary Interests
Music
Mythology & Folklore
Nature & Wildlife
Needlecrafts
New Age & Paranormal
New England Regional
Oddments
Performing Arts
Pets
Philosophy
Photography
Poetry
Political Science & Government
Psychology
Reference
Religion
Retro Reads
Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror
Sociology
STEM
Specials
Spirituality
Sports & Recreation
Transportation
Travel & Adventure
Unclassified
Yearbooks
Remainders
Each year books remaining at the end of the sale are offered to bidders, as a lot, in an auction held in advance of the Sale.
Inquiries may be addressed to: [email protected]
The Five Colleges Book Sale welcomes professional booksellers from all over New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
The primary purpose of the Five Colleges Book Sale is to raise scholarship funds for NH and VT students to attend Vassar, Smith, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, and Simmons.
We value bookseller participation in our sale, and appreciate the substantial revenue generated by our loyal booksellers. We are also grateful for the generous donations and purchases of our local patrons and more than 300 volunteers. Without each segment of this varied customer population, the sale could not succeed.
We ask for your cooperation in refraining from the practice of 'scooping' books to make the sale a pleasant experience for everyone. We will be strictly enforcing a no scoop rule to give all patrons an opportunity to enjoy the sale, and require booksellers to scan the books on the tables in order to determine which books to evaluate further.
The Five Colleges Book Sale appreciates and relies on our loyal patrons for donations of books in saleable condition in all genres. It is community members like you who have kept the sale running for more than 60 years.
Books and media in saleable condition will be accepted beginning Saturday, March 1 at a site to be determined, and continue through Sunday, March 30.
Donations must be received by volunteers. Please do not leave books outside the storefront.
Directions:
The sorting site is to be determined. Please check back frequently!
Volunteers will be on hand to accept donations during the following times:
Monday - Saturday 9am – 4pm
Wednesday 4pm – 7pm
Sunday Noon - 4pm
Donations are tax deductible with receipts available at the donation site.
We welcome high-quality donations of books, manuscripts, prints, maps, memorabilia, CDs, and DVDs.
Please be mindful of the condition of the items you wish to donate. We cannot accept books that are soiled, heavily highlighted or marked up, moldy, falling apart, or in general poor physical condition.
We also cannot accept the following materials, even in good condition:
EncyclopediasAt the 2024 sale, historical memorabilia from past sales were on display, and enjoyed by all. Please join us in celebrating the 61st Five Colleges Book Sale. We will again be offering 60th Anniversary commemorative Five Colleges Book Sale canvas shopping bags to sale goers.
Visitors who want to make the sale a part of a spring trip to New England will find many places to stay, eat and explore nearby.
Here are just a few examples of guides to restaurants, hotels and inns in the area:
Dining in the Upper Valley of NH & VT
Lodging in the Upper Valley of NH & VT
NH Bed & Breakfast Association
VT Lodging Association
Questions we frequently get with brief answers. Check our Facebook page for frequent updates.
When does the sale take place?
The 2025 Five Colleges Book Sale will be held on the following days/times:
4/18 Friday 9 am to 5 pm
4/19 Saturday 9am to 5 pm
4/20 Sunday 9am to 3 pm (Half Price Day)
Where does the sale take place?
The 2025 Five Colleges Book Sale will be held at Lebanon High School, 195 Hanover Street, Lebanon, NH.
When can I donate books?
Donations of books and media in saleable condition will be accepted beginning Saturday, March 1, and continue through Sunday, March 30 at a site to be determined. Volunteers will be on hand to accept donations during the following times:
March 1 - 30, 2025
Monday - Saturday 9am – 4pm
Wednesday 4pm – 7pm
Sunday Noon - 4pm
What types of donations do you accept?
We welcome high-quality donations of books, manuscripts, prints, maps, memorabilia, CDs, and DVDs. Please do not donate any books with mold, broken spines or excessive highlighting/underlining. Books that aren’t in saleable conditions require extra work for our volunteers to process.
Do you accept textbooks?
Not at this time. Check with area churches, COVER, and LISTEN to see if they accept textbooks.
Is there a way for me to donate books outside the donation period?
We accept donations in our offseason on a case by case basis. Please reach out to chair Natalie Golden at [email protected] with any questions.
Where does the money go?
Proceeds from the sale benefit scholarship funds at five historically women’s colleges; Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Simmons, Wellesley and Vassar, and go to NH and VT students to attend one of the five colleges.
What do you do with the books you can’t sell?
We have an agreement with an online bookseller who takes the leftover books.
How much do books cost?
Most books are priced at well under $10., and many are $1-$3. We also offer antique books, first editions and other special books that have higher price points.
How can I volunteer?
Come to the sorting site during donation hours or request to be added to the volunteer email list by emailing [email protected].
Is there a handout site map I can reference?
Contact Us
Send us a messages and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
[email protected] 603-848-3311 (text or call)