tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post1328521305391850828..comments2023-11-26T08:55:00.075-05:00Comments on Steph Su Reads: So You Want to Donate BooksSteph Suhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834692034486125015noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-59257042512886178442012-09-21T13:48:16.262-04:002012-09-21T13:48:16.262-04:00Hi,
We are teachers of English as a second lan...Hi,<br /><br /> <br /><br />We are teachers of English as a second language here in Morocco(North Africa) in a rural area and we would like you to help us equip our school library with some books , computers, and any other learning materials in the English language. Our school is a public junior high school. Studnts are between 13 and 16 years old. The reading levels of our students are beginning and intermediate. They need books about the English grammar, fiction, story books, dictionaries, reading...(100 to 200 books). We will also appreciate giving us any information of other organizations that may help us bring books to our children.<br /> <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br /> Mustapha Sifa<br /><br /> <br /><br />School name: College Al Irfane<br /><br /><br /><br />Library Project Coordinator: Mustapha Sifa<br /> <br /><br /><br />Address : 31 Hay Al Quds <br /><br />Sidi Bennour 24350<br /><br /> Morocco.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tel: 212664374618<br /><br /> <br /><br />E-mail : firmoza@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-26174980162825042492012-01-23T16:22:11.393-05:002012-01-23T16:22:11.393-05:00Thanks for clarifying the No-Arcs to library rule....Thanks for clarifying the No-Arcs to library rule. I wasn't sure about that.Tales of Whimsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938494589922620170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-9181399741063605282010-08-29T02:35:21.544-04:002010-08-29T02:35:21.544-04:00Hi Steph,
Found you and this post via BBAW. This ...Hi Steph, <br />Found you and this post via BBAW. This is a great post and I've added a link to it in the comments on a post I have about book charities ( http://www.playingbythebook.net/2009/12/28/book-charities/ ) - not all the charities accept donations of books, but many of them do.Playing by the bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02761644438775249830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-75256002176363231532010-05-17T22:44:37.472-04:002010-05-17T22:44:37.472-04:00Another factor not listed in the comments so far i...Another factor not listed in the comments so far is if a catalog record already exits. Some library systems can't afford a full-time cataloger and if you can't get a catalog record, you can't get the book on the shelf. I know that as a librarian, I have a stock-pile of donations on a back shelf patiently waiting for them to get cataloged, and, yes, sometimes it takes a year to get them in the system. So have a little patience if it doesn't show up right away. I love getting donations! The retail amount of donated books each month is often times greater than what my book budget is, so every donation helps considerably! And as someone mentioned before, the library book sales aren't a bad thing. The money goes straight back to the library to buy more books!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-53940412310332386942010-03-30T12:32:23.062-04:002010-03-30T12:32:23.062-04:00Thank you SO much for this post. Not only is it fa...Thank you SO much for this post. Not only is it fantastic, it was something I really needed help with. I have a big box of books I want to donate and I don't know what to do with them. And I'm glad you mentioned Color Online too, and all of them, in fact.Heather Zundelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16621649337908358313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-68629097186358990842010-03-28T21:56:28.347-04:002010-03-28T21:56:28.347-04:00Wonderful post! Here's my answers to your que...Wonderful post! Here's my answers to your questions for librarians.<br /><br />1. We accept older books, but it's really on a case-by-case basis. If it's something we just missed or couldn't afford when it came out, or if it can replace a copy that's getting worn out, we'll welcome it with open arms! If it's something we don't think will circulate in our community, we'll seel it at a book fair, use it as a summer reading prize, or offer it to other branches. <br /><br />2. I think it would be great to see the blogger's review along with the book - especially from teen bloggers. It's nice to see how the community responds to books. <br /><br />3. We only accept books that are in good condition and don't have any writing or highlighting in them..<br /><br />4. If there aren't any copies of the book already in the system, it had to be sent downtown to be catalogued. Otherwise our Library Aides enter the book into the system and add the barcodes and stickers. Sometimes it does take some time - gifts aren't processed until after purchased materials have been processed.<br /><br />5. Most librarians LOVE to hear what patrons read and enjoy - the more we know about your reading preferences, the better our collection will be. Definitely share your blog with your librarians, and feel free to mention upcoming titles that you think the library should be looking out for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-51113530105525886772010-03-28T16:47:05.440-04:002010-03-28T16:47:05.440-04:00Very informative and awesome post :)
I personally...Very informative and awesome post :)<br /><br />I personally have always loved to donate my books. I don't much care whether they end up in book sales or library shelves because I figure at least someone other than me is reading (and hopefully) getting enjoyment from them.<br /><br />A Goodwill bookstore recently opened up in my neighborhood so now I've mostly been donating books there. I <3 them and I <3 libraries but it's a bit simpler for us because my Mom usually has donations for other household items so I lump my books in there.<br /><br />And then kids can get really nice books for only $2 or so. Love that place :)in which a girl readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563423294648988362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-50456102082763297092010-03-28T13:59:30.069-04:002010-03-28T13:59:30.069-04:00Thanks for the information on ARCs Malinda. This i...Thanks for the information on ARCs Malinda. This is how I thought authors were feeling about their ARCs in all library collections. I am using them for prizes for reading challenges and/or keeping them on a shelf at my desk for my voracious readers.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633364891278747705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-51211769420486807752010-03-28T13:23:47.949-04:002010-03-28T13:23:47.949-04:00Steph, this is a great post with lots of useful in...Steph, this is a great post with lots of useful info in it! I recently dropped off a bunch of books (like maybe 30) at my local library's bookstore. They told me that the ones published in the last calendar year will be processed to be placed on the shelves, but honestly, I wouldn't mind if they all go to the bookstore for sales. I mean, I can see why you'd want to see your books on the shelves, but the library sales are another way to support your library. And newer books are more likely to be bring in money, I think, than old ones.<br /><br />Re: ARCs -- Speaking as an author, I would hesitate before donating an ARC to any library, private or public. They are advance review copies, which means they have errors in them! They are meant solely for review and not for distributing to masses of readers. Also, they are bound relatively poorly because they're not supposed to be lasting, and therefore can often degrade after only a few readings. If you have extra ARCs and want to get rid of them, I would just pass them on to friends. And if you have a heart of gold, you might consider emailing the author and asking them if they can make use of them. I bet the author will LOVE you. (We often don't get very many ARCs, and would love to have more.) Obviously this is most useful if the book hasn't been published yet, but ARCs can still be sent to reviewers even after the book is out.<br /><br />Wow, that was a long comment! :)Malinda Lohttp://www.malindalo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-81337102290220884502010-03-28T13:12:35.302-04:002010-03-28T13:12:35.302-04:00This is a great post! I've had difficulty dona...This is a great post! I've had difficulty donating to my local library. I took in a book specifically to donate [it had just been released and was brand new] and they were like "Oh we'd be glad to put it in the sale section." <br /><br />I had to go back in a week later and hunt down the right person to talk to, who was only there a couple of days a week. Before adding it to the catalog she asked me a ton of different questions about why I thought it should be added and what they would benefit from by adding it, etc. It just seemed so... complicated and long, and we don't even have a ton of new releases or a huge teen selection at that library. I'm pretty sure that if I took a box of books to donate, they'd just end up in their sale section.WhatBriReadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529153994628423768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-38435629360514570262010-03-28T07:51:53.777-04:002010-03-28T07:51:53.777-04:00I have donated around 30 - 50 books this year so f...I have donated around 30 - 50 books this year so far to my local library. I don't think I could ever throw a book away, because there could be someone out there who is really wanting to read that book.<br /><br />For me personally, its quite a different system in the Uk with regards to libraries. I think because my local librarie is only relatively small, they have a limited young adult and childrens section, and because they don't get a lot of funding, it's hard for them to keep up with recent editions of books or newly published ones. I always feel really proud of myself that other children or teenagers in my area will be able to read more newer titles because of my donations.<br /><br />The woman who work at my library are all so nice as well, and are really grateful for any donations they receive. I know the books I have donated are on the shelves, because they sort through them when I am there and enter them into the system. However, there have been occasions when they haven't been able to accept one or two books, but then they just put them in the library loot bin, where the money will go to buying more books for the library.<br /><br />I think everyone should donate books, especially because more people are not reading so much at the moment. Great post StephCarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12776814809468436342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-46901746132451988302010-03-27T23:04:25.791-04:002010-03-27T23:04:25.791-04:00Great post!! I hate to see it when people throw bo...Great post!! I hate to see it when people throw books away :( Even if your books do end up in the library book sale, at least they should find good homes!! All of the causes you listed look awesome and I'm going to check their pages out. Here's one more worthy cause-The International Book Project, they send books to developing countries and also have a store where the profits are used for shipping costs. http://www.intlbookproject.org/<br /><br />Thanks for the awesome post!!Carrie at In the Hammock Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01496016097652195216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-11579136004097725852010-03-27T22:37:08.454-04:002010-03-27T22:37:08.454-04:00I am a Teen librarian and loved this post, you mad...I am a Teen librarian and loved this post, you made a lot of great points especially about not giving us tons of boxes at once. <br />At our library we certainly take books that have been out for awhile if they are in goo condition and we don't already have them, or if they are popular titles. (We only keep one copy in circulation at a time to avoid confusions)<br />I at least would love a copy of your review and possibly even your permission to keep it with the book, so other teens can read what someone has though about it. I can never get a chance to read all the books that come in. So having a review of it already will help it get checked out.<br />We like books that aren't falling apart, that's pretty much the only thing that really matters condition wise.<br />At our library we used to have only one processor, she would have to research the books, so that she can put it in the right spot and add a ton of information so people can find books by subject. Books we buy always get processed first and so sometimes she would never be able to get to the donations. Also DVDS and audio book gifts get cataloged first and then Adult books and last place are kids books. So sometimes it will take a long time to get to those last few novels if only one person is doing cataloging. <br />I certainly think speaking directly to the person in charge of that section is what will be most helpful. Most YA librarians are really nice and fun and would love to establish a relationship with someone else who loves books as much as us. <br />THANKS!Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18067872282413345969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-25268643738408750622010-03-27T20:48:29.922-04:002010-03-27T20:48:29.922-04:00School libraries are consistently getting cut. Ou...School libraries are consistently getting cut. Our librarian is barely even a part time employee and a lot of other schools/districts are in the same boat. The school library is always in desperate need for books, so if your library is always readily stocked then I recommend that you try your local school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-47979225065692328882010-03-27T19:50:37.271-04:002010-03-27T19:50:37.271-04:00Jessica, thanks so much for answering my questions...Jessica, thanks so much for answering my questions. You're lucky to be working at a library where you'll have FIVE copies of a book!!<br /><br />Karen - I'll try to remember to email you soon regarding your questions! How exciting that you want to promote a good school library for your students. Mine was dusty old nonfiction tomes... booorrriiinnnggg.Steph Suhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834692034486125015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-20512709341162000832010-03-27T19:31:58.239-04:002010-03-27T19:31:58.239-04:00Great tips, Steph. Thanks!Great tips, Steph. Thanks!Jeannine Garseehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356730897416451188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-14529868630141961432010-03-27T16:49:58.747-04:002010-03-27T16:49:58.747-04:00Great primer on donating. I'll add a link to ...Great primer on donating. I'll add a link to this in my New Book Blogger FAQ.Lenore Appelhanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664671644163369772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-55040252451660491672010-03-27T15:29:25.293-04:002010-03-27T15:29:25.293-04:00I'm a high school librarian in WA state and I ...I'm a high school librarian in WA state and I really wish I could get more donations like this from bloggers. I get only $4,000 a year for a school of 1600 students that love to read YA so I am constantly struggling to keep up with new publications let alone other book needs to keep them happy! I would take new and older titles, but they don't circulate unless they are in pretty good condition. <br />I am confused about ARCs, though. I have hesitated to put them in a school library, but if they will never be sold, is it then ok? I have heard different opinions on this issue and I would want to do what's right!<br />Thanks for posting this Steph, and for promoting the idea.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633364891278747705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-23316716123327757532010-03-27T15:04:26.508-04:002010-03-27T15:04:26.508-04:00Very helpful advice - thank you, Steph!Very helpful advice - thank you, Steph!Dwaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05606879826280017542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-59459416968634736952010-03-27T14:57:58.901-04:002010-03-27T14:57:58.901-04:00Great post, Steph. I (obviously) think donating to...Great post, Steph. I (obviously) think donating to libraries is one of the best things you can do and I always donate everything I can to my library (which you mentioned.)<br /><br />Thanks SO much for including PAYA.Harmonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094247167530488008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-25827461216284759052010-03-27T14:37:52.393-04:002010-03-27T14:37:52.393-04:00Great post with awesome advice, Steph! What with b...Great post with awesome advice, Steph! What with books piling up, probably going away for school in the fall and my sister being only six, I've been thinking about donating some books too. Great information :)deltayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09419573977053468767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-32242044427868737002010-03-27T14:33:02.154-04:002010-03-27T14:33:02.154-04:00This is a great post full of great advice! :)This is a great post full of great advice! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-44619542924526181772010-03-27T14:17:34.851-04:002010-03-27T14:17:34.851-04:00As a Teen Librarian, I love people who want to don...As a Teen Librarian, I love people who want to donate books!! Here are some things I look for in donations (and answers to some of your questions...):<br />1. I will take brand new books or older, well known titles. Books get damaged, lost, or stolen so we're always looking for replacement copies of popular titles. I'll let you know if I already have 5 copies of a book so that you can donate it somewhere else. <br />2. Books must be undamaged when donated. They don't have to be brand spanking new, but we cannot accept anything water damaged or in poor shape. Anything that can potentially hold mold will not only be disgusting on the shelf, but mold spreads to the other books around it so we have to be really careful about that. <br />3. I definitely advocate talking directly to the full time Librarian in a teen or children's department and figuring out how much and when you should donate your books. Too many at once are too difficult to sort through depending on the time of year and will often end up just sitting for weeks in my office until I can get to them. <br /><br />Hope that helps!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06493359469313592497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1214401809446305406.post-89360444932417051382010-03-27T13:37:25.829-04:002010-03-27T13:37:25.829-04:00Great post, Steph!
Thanks for mentioning Color On...Great post, Steph!<br /><br />Thanks for mentioning Color Online. I personally know a lot of teachers, librarians and non-profits so donors can be assured that when they donate to Color Online, we give your donations to groups and individuals who will really appreciate them.Color Onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15062017327837729986noreply@blogger.com