Finding free or inexpensive books
Abstract
National service providers and other volunteer organizations that provide literacy training need ways to increase their book holdings because students of all ages need exposure to a wealth of literature. Research confirms the benefits of access to books, reading, and stories. This practice from LEARNS provides ideas about how to collect low cost or free books for your program.Issue
Finding sources of inexpensive or free books for national service providers and other volunteer organizations that provide literacy training.Action
Contact organizations that support and promote literacy:
- First Book
1133 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-393-1222
(Distributes books to existing community tutoring, mentoring, and family literacy programs that serve low-income children.) - Reading is Fundamental
1825 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20009 - Rolling Readers USA
3049 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: 800-309-READ (7323)
(Sponsors Read Aloud, Tutor USA, and USA Partnerships.)
Contact public and school libraries.
They may have older or overstocked books they can donate. Additionally, public libraries may sell books they are no longer using at very inexpensive prices (often 25 cents to a dollar).
Visit used bookstores and thrift stores to find inexpensive books.
Hold a book drive or literacy fair. You can advertise your book drive through flyers, a program newsletter, or a local newspaper so community members know where and when they can donate new or gently used books. Be specific about the kinds of books you need. You can do this by giving examples of age appropriate titles. Plan your book drive kick-off during a community or school fair, or other celebration. Let people know if they can drop off books year round or only during a certain period.
Ask local business owners or managers if they would be interested in sponsoring a book drive. They will get free advertising and also be supporting a good cause. When businesses help, be sure to acknowledge their assistance with thank-you cards from tutors and students, bookplates imprinted with their business name, or an article in the local newspaper. Businesses can also provide support by donating or purchasing books for your program.
The Girl Scouts are a good resource for helping organize a book drive. Visit their Web site or call your local Girl Scout Council.
Ask local schools and teachers for their used and no longer needed books. When schools change texts or curricula they replace large quantities of books. Retired teachers may also have books they would like to give away. [Idea contributed to the Reads List Listserv in November 2001 by Roberta Daskin, Coordinator, Student Employment, Sarah Lawrence College.]
Context
- The AmeriCorps program in Laramie, Wyoming held a literacy fair where local and chain bookstores donated books, bookmarks, and gift certificates as prizes and promotions. [From the nwrel.org/learns website]
- The AmeriCorps program in Mt. Shasta, California held a weeklong book drive with drop off points at bookstores and schools. Volunteers posted flyers that gave free advertising to those who offered their location for members of the community to drop off books. [From AmeriCorps volunteer, Mary Renga, 1999]
Outcome
Program beneficiaries and participants received free or low cost books from local businesses, parents, community members, professional organizations, public libraries, and schools. The community was able to take pride in helping local service providers achieve literacy goals, and businesses received free advertising as a result of their philanthropy.Posted On
April 15, 2002For More Information
Related Practices
Related sites
America Reads Building Literacy through Community Partnership