Buying second-hand books and joining book swaps

Terms used

• AMPA — The AMPA is the school's parents' association, which often runs the book exchange.
• ISBN — The ISBN is the number printed on a book that identifies its exact edition.
• Banco de libros — A banco de libros is a school book bank where families lend and borrow textbooks.
• Mercadillo — A mercadillo is a small second-hand sale, here for school books.
• Librería de segunda mano — A librería de segunda mano is a second-hand bookshop.

Key rules

• Edition: Match the ISBN and edition to the school's list before you buy any second-hand book.
• Written-in books: Skip books that are already written in, since workbooks usually cannot be reused.
• AMPA exchange: Ask the school secretary early, because exchange dates, prices and membership rules vary by school.

Buy second-hand only if the edition matches

A cheap book is wasted money if it is the wrong edition. Always match each book to the school's list before you pay. The list gives the title, publisher and ISBN for each subject.

Why editions are usually safe for a while

Schools generally may not change textbooks for a minimum of four school years, so books can be reused and passed down. That is why second-hand books work well in Spain.

There are exceptions: a curricular reform, a justified educational reason approved by the school council or regional authority, or books that are not reusable. Each region sets the exact period and exceptions, so ask your regional education department if the school says a book has changed.

Where to find second-hand books

• School book exchange. Many schools have an AMPA (parents' association) that runs a book exchange, a mercadillo or a banco de libros. These usually run in June and July, and sometimes again in early September. Families hand in books in good condition that are still valid for next year. The AMPA checks them and sells or lends them cheaply, often for a fraction of the new price or for a small deposit or fee.
• Joining. You usually need to be an AMPA member, which costs a small annual fee, or to register with the school. Notices go out by school noticeboard, email or app. Not every school has an AMPA, and dates, prices and rules vary, so ask the school secretary.
• Second-hand bookshops. Look for a librería de segunda mano near you.
• Online marketplaces and parent groups. General second-hand apps and local online groups are common, and some sites and apps specialise in school books. Some bookshops and publishers also run buy-back or reserve schemes.

How to check a book

1. Find the ISBN on the back cover or the copyright page.
2. Compare it with the ISBN on the school's list. The same title can have a different ISBN from another publisher or region, and then it may not match.
3. Check that the edition or year, subject, level and region match.
4. Reject books that are already written in. Workbooks meant to be written in usually cannot be reused.

If you are unsure, ask the teacher or the school secretary before you buy.

Use the decision, checklist and questions below to plan your purchases.

Choosing between options

Should you buy second-hand or new books for next year?

• Buy second-hand: The ISBN and edition match the school list and the books are not written in.

• Buy new: The school changed the edition, the book is a consumable workbook, or no matching second-hand copy is available.

• Wait and ask the school: You think the list may change because of a curricular reform or an approved educational reason.

Schools generally may not change textbooks for four school years, so a book from the current list is usually safe to buy second-hand. Exceptions are a curricular reform, a justified educational reason approved by the school council or regional authority, and books that are not reusable. If the ISBN matches the list, buy second-hand; if not, buy new.

Checklist

• Get the school's book list with the title, publisher and ISBN for each subject.

• Ask the school secretary whether your school has an AMPA book exchange or book bank, and when it runs.

• Join the AMPA or register with the school if the exchange requires it.

• Hand in your child's old books in good condition by the exchange's deadline, if they are still valid for next year's list.

• Compare the ISBN on the back cover or copyright page of each second-hand book with the ISBN on the list.

• Reject books that are already written in, since workbooks usually cannot be reused.

• Search second-hand bookshops (librerías de segunda mano) and online marketplaces for any books the exchange does not have.

• Ask your regional education department how long the school must keep the same textbooks, so you know whether older books are still safe to buy or pass on.

Frequently asked questions

When do AMPA book exchanges usually take place?

Most AMPA book exchanges run in June and July, and some run again in early September.

Do I have to be an AMPA member to use the book exchange?

Usually yes, you need to be an AMPA member, which costs a small annual fee, or to register with the school. Some exchanges lend books for a small deposit or fee instead of selling them. Not every school has an active AMPA, so ask the school secretary.

Can I reuse a book that is already written in?

Usually no, because consumable workbooks that are written in cannot normally be reused.

Why might the same title have a different ISBN?

Publishers and regional editions often use different ISBNs for the same title, so a different ISBN may mean a different book. Compare the number on the back cover or copyright page with your school's list. Do not buy until they match.