Raising more than $200,000 a year!

For school libraries, literacy projects and literacy organizations throughout Vancouver island

Who we are

THE TIMES COLONIST
LITERACY SOCIETY

Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning and education, and we support school libraries and literacy organizations through Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The Times Colonist started raising money for literacy work with a small book sale in 1998, and today that work is carried on by the Times Colonist Literacy Society.

Our Work

The Times Colonist Literacy Society has raised almost $7 million for literacy projects and school libraries throughout the readership area of the Times Colonist. Money is raised through the annual Times Colonist Book Sale, through monthly and one-time donations, and through a grant from Decoda Literacy Solutions.

The Book Drive

The 2024 book sale was a great success, raising about $265,000 for literacy work. Thanks to all the donors, buyers, volunteers and sponsors!

Watch for information on the 2025 sale.

As soon as we confirm them, we will post information here.

The Book Drive

The Book Sale

The annual Times Colonist Book Sale is one of the most popular events of the year. It is a can’t-miss weekend for book lovers.
People from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Washington State come every year, along with a couple of hundred people from mainland British Columbia.
All proceeds from the sale go to the Times Colonist Literacy Society, a charitable organization that is supported by the Times Colonist.
The society distributes money to school libraries and literacy organizations.
They will be offered for sale on May 4 and 5. Sale hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Make a bequest

A bequest, also known as a legacy gift, to the Times Colonist Literacy Society is specified in your will, and will be made available to us when your will is probated. It is easy to do: In your will, choose to leave the Times Colonist Literacy Society a specific sum or a percentage of the value of your estate.

Your bequest could also include real property and securities such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

We suggest that you consult a lawyer for advice on drawing up your will, as well as a financial advisor regarding the tax implications of your gift.

Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the full value of your bequest. The resulting tax credits will offset taxes owing on your final tax return.

If you would like to leave a bequest, please note that the proper legal name is Times Colonist Literacy Society, and the CRA registered charity number is 71228 5725 RR0001

You retain full control in your lifetime. A bequest would be part of your will, so you can change it or cancel it at any time.

Make a Bequest

Volunteer

The work of the literacy society would not be possible without the help of community-minded volunteers.

There are about 400 of them, including a core group of 100 who have been around for a decade or more. They ensure that the entire process — the set-up, the drive-through drop-off, the order-out-of-chaos sorting, and the tear-down — is done to ensure that the sale is a success.

Want to join the team?