The Library Usually Doesnt Want Your Used Books. Youd think the library would want your used books But outside of the occasional used book sale, libraries usually only get their books from specific vendors. By dumping your used books on them, youre actually creating work for volunteers and making things worse. Microsoft Fresh Start For Donated Computers For Seniors' title='Microsoft Fresh Start For Donated Computers For Seniors' />We talked to librarian Stephanie Anderson, Assistant Director of Selection at Book. Ops the shared technical services collaboration of New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. She explained whats so bad about dumping your books on the library, and why they dont want them. Ask FirstAlmost all libraries have a well defined policy on donations, says Anderson. So look it up before you cart your books over. It is likely to be on their website, and if not, you can ask at any desk in a library, or call them. Ask them who does want your used books, and theyll usually have an answer ready. This newsletter is available at no cost to anyone who wishes to subscribe. If you received NCG ENews, you are already on our mailing list. Yelling at each other online is a beloved human tradition. Other animals like to shout at each other too, they just dont have the luxury of a screen separating them. We have invested in our internet and ebusiness capabilities and we are now in a position to drive key elements of our enterprise solutions and services through e. Microsoft Fresh Start For Donated Computers For Seniors' title='Microsoft Fresh Start For Donated Computers For Seniors' />And if the library does want your books, you dont have to read this post Congratulations Most Libraries Cant Use Your Books. Anderson knows that would be donors have good intentions. But, she says, when you insist on donating books to a library that doesnt accept them, or insist on donating books that a library cant use, its disrespectful of the institution youre trying to support. You would not believe how many people get angry and argue with librarians when they learn about our donation policies, says Anderson. Microsoft Office 2010 Proofing Tools Kit X86 Or X64 more. Picture that embarrassing kind of person, throwing a fit because they didnt do their research. Never be that personMicrosoft claims Bing, its search engine for people who have just unboxed a new computer and are trying to find out where to download Chrome, is bigger than you think. An important aspect of having well rounded finances is charity. Giving is generally accepted byRead more Read. Why They Dont Want Your Books In short, books arent all the same, and the ones youre getting rid of arent the ones the library needs, says Anderson. Not even the new ones In a best case scenario, we can do one of two things with a donated book add it to the collection, or put it in a book sale. Many novice book donors expect us to do the former, but we almost never do, because it is highly unlikely that we need the book donated at the time it is donated. In order to spend book budgets wisely, we do a lot of planning, and that planning cant depend on book donations. Instead, libraries buy from vendors. Its the only way to reliably match supply to demand, and to get fresh books that definitely dont have bedbugs or other hidden defects. And buying the physical book isnt the only part that costs money. Even If They Use Your Book, Its Not Free When the library adds a new book to their collection, they dont just unbox it and slide it onto the shelf. They have to add a barcode, spine label, and laminate it or add a clear Mylar cover so it lasts longer. They have to assign that barcode and add the book to the catalog. These all cost the library money, as does the time of the staff member who processes the book, says Anderson. Libraries never have enough staff time. The library also needs space to shelve each new book. Because theyre already doing their job buying all the books they need, your unneeded book is just using up space until the staff spends more time recycling it. TechSoup connects nonprofits, foundations, and libraries with tech products, services, and learning resources. Whether you are building or buying your home or apartment, Ira Braverman P. E., registered civil engineer California and Israel offers individual guidance and. InformationWeek. com News, analysis and research for business technology professionals, plus peertopeer knowledge sharing. Engage with our community. When You Can Donate Books Of course, this doesnt apply to book sales, which the library uses to raise funds and to dispose of its own extra books. They wont always need 2. John Grisham. Still, check the donation policy, which will probably disallow textbooks, magazines, and other materials that no one will buy. If you donate those, again, youre creating work for the library. As mentioned, there are other exceptions, which you learned when you googled your librarys donation policy The Brooklyn Public Library, for example, is running a pilot program at its central location, accepting new and gently used books. What to Donate Instead You can still helpMost libraries will happily take your tax deductible monetary donations. Many of us depend on these donations to keep our collections in good shape, says Anderson, and every dollar helps. You can also volunteer, which will help you learn how libraries work, and appreciate the many things they do behind the scenes and the many services they provide outside of books. Remember, most libraries are understaffed, and youll free up highly educated librarians for more technical work, so theyll appreciate the help. Heres What to Do With All Those Books Well, the library probably told you where else to donate them. You could make money or store credit by selling them to a used bookstore. Or, and this will shock you, youre allowed to throw them out. Its part of the book circle of life says Anderson. It might feel weirdBooks are magic. But theyre also produced in mass quantities, and now theyre all digitized as well. If your book is at all rare, its selling for lots of money on Amazon and Abe. Books, and thats where you should take it. Otherwise dont worry, there are plenty of copies somewhere for anyone who wants to read them. If your library doesnt have this book, suggest that they buy a copy. Theyd rather have a new one from a vendor, honestly. Anderson points out that almost everywhere in the country, books are recyclable. So your old books will get a second life, as an Amazon box for your new books.