I have this HUGE box of books that I don't read. What can I do with them?

Question

I don't care if I get money back or not...just wanna get rid of them...taking up space

Okay, they're like old romance novels that belonged to my mother. So...

Answer 1

There are always libraries willing to take donations. Salvation Army or Goodwill is another option. Or, why not try and make a few bucks, register for ebay and try selling them online. What kind of books do you have?

Answer 2

Since you don't care if you get money for them or not, I suggest you donate them.

Contrary to common belief, libraries do not need donated books. I know because I worked in a library for a long time. Libraries have budgets with which to fill their shelves, and most donations end up being simply re-donated or sold, or even given away.

There are, however, several places that generally are in desperate need of books, and which would probably be thrilled with your donations. One place is jails and prisons. The demand is huge, and they are usually desperate for reading materials. You do need to contact them before you donate, however, as most will only take certain genres, and nearly none will take hardback books. (Believe it or not, a hardback book can be broken down and can be made into a knife that is every bit as deadly as something made from steel.)

If you don't like the idea of donating to a prison or jail, rest homes are also places which are usually in need of books. With the baby boomers aging, the care center/rest home business is booming, and they are usually very grateful for any donations they can get.

Another place that will usually take a donation of books is a shelter, be it a homeless shelter or a battered women's refuge. Call those in your area and see if they are interested. Books are especially important to them because many people who find themselves in shelters have lower reading skills, and part of helping them get out of the "system" involves getting their reading and writing skills up to speed.

There is one other place that usually needs books, and that is rehabilitation hospitals and institutions. Often their budgets are stretched and there is no money to provide reading materials for resident patients. That is also often the case with Veterans' Administration hospitals.

There is another benefit if you donate your books, and that is that if you donate them to a government agency or a non-profit organization, you can get money back, in the form of a tax write off. It counts just like any donation to charity, and all you need to do is get a receipt when you drop the items off.

I hope I have given you some ideas that are of use.

Answer 3

the people who answered before have some great ideas. There are pleanty of places that would gladly accept used books.

In my town, at our homeless shelter, the people there always enjoy a good read, even if they have to get something in spanish. so, someone, (fine... me) got an idea and brought books and shelves and set them up, with the management's approval of course, and now, loads of people use the books, and now when books are donated, many of them go there.

so, depending on where you live, I'd suggest doing something with the books that would help others. perhaps there is a soup kitchen... people there usually enjoy a book with a meal.

or a shelter for battered women and children... if you drop books off there, I know that they would be appriciated, (as long as they're appropiate) especially if there are children';s books with them (I don't know what type you have, but it's an idea)

or someplace like this.

http://www.lapuente.net/

Answer 4

There are a lot of options available to you if you just want to get rid of them. You could donate them to a library, a used book store, or have them sent to the troops in Iraq.

Answer 5

You can sell them on Half.com, or have a garage sale, or donate them to the library which would be the fastest way to get rid of them. You can also just throw them in the trash can or put them out on the sidewalk with the sign "FREE" on the box.

Answer 6

You could donate them to the library or try to sell them in amazon.com, ebay.com or craigslist. If you dont really want the book, you can sell them cheap and still make some money. I think if you donate them to the library, you get a receipt and you can use the receipt when you do your taxes.

Answer 7

Donate them to a local nursing home, or homeless shelter, or women's center (for abused women), or see if a local hospital would want them.

Also check if there are any second hand book stores in your area - sell them what you can, you won't make much, and donate the rest.

Answer 8

1. Read them.

2. Donate them to children who can't afford books.

3. Celebrate the fact that you're smarter AND kinder than you used to be.

Answer 9

Donate them to the Salvation Army. I like books and I've bought lots of 'em there.

Answer 10

If they are in good shape you can list them on e-Bay.
You could also list them on Craig's List, or a similar local List.
You could also donate them to a local charity, library, used book store...as you feel is appropriate.

Blessings,
Rani