We want to paint our bedroom, but before we can do so, we have to be able to move the bookshelves away from the wall. And before we can move the bookshelves, we have to remove the books. Which is how we discovered that we owned two copies of Wicked Italian (what can we say: great minds?) and a Web standards guide dating back to 1997.
As we stacked these titles into a cardboard box along with a few other remnants from our erudite twenties, we experienced absolutely none of the pain that avid readers usually report after parting with their books. In fact, we felt elated at the prospect of some empty space on those heavy heavy shelves. Also, that box was pegged for donation, and making the donation was as easy as marching the box down the street to our branch library, where they instructed us to leave it by their donations barrel and handed us a receipt. The whole thing took ten minutes.
Now, before you get all righteous on us about how the SF Public Library hardly needs our two copies of Wicked Italian, we will point out that the books in that barrel are not necessarily bound for the shelves of the library. Many of them are channeled instead to the Friends of the SFPL, a non-profit that sells them on eBay, at special sales, at Book Bay Fort Mason, and out of a small storefront at the Main Library downtown, and then turns the profit over to the Library.
So we all benefit: a fellow San Franciscan en route to Italy this summer can, for mere pennies, arm herself with a few helpful phrases ("Neanche se fosse l'ultimo uomo sulla terra"), the Library gets a cash donation, and we get access to our bedroom wall.
If you want to donate directly to the Friends of the Library, here's the scoop; for branch library donations (small quantties only), check out this link.
Image: ,a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vasta/110096072/">vasta
I work for Friends of the SFPL and we love Apartment Therapy! For anyone interested in building their book collection our Big Book Sale (the largest on the West Coast) takes place September 28, 29 and 30 at Fort Mason. Lots of coffee table bargains and a great way to support SF libraries to boot...
view anniewin's profile
You can also get cash for unwanted books at many bookstores.
Here in Portland, Powells Books will buy back most books. So if you buy books there you have a choice between new or used and that can save some bucks.
Anyone planning a trip here that likes books should set aside an afternoon to see Powells. The place is massive, it's possible to get lost inside (they have maps available). And they have a great selection.
view boomer's profile
This is so funny, I'm taking a collection development class for my masters in library and information science program this summer, and I was just reading about gifts and library discard policies. As I was reading the post, I thought, hmmm, I don't think the library is actually going to add these books to the collection, and then after the jump, you answered my thought. You're right, they probably will go to the library sale!
view ckp's profile
I was getting snowed under with books and magazines and after donating them to our local charity shop, like Lisa, I experienced a feeling of elation. It is good to share.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
I'm dedicated and perhaps even zealous about getting rid of most books, unless it's a book that I'm currently reading, or using often (meaning more than 2-3 times per year) for projects. My boyfriend isn't quite so decluttering-focused as I---and this triggered a misunderstanding just this morning.
At other points in my life, I found great joy in finding certain books that others had recycled. Now I'm much more interested in strengthening public libraries---introducing others to easy access to books---than in weighing down my home with 'things.' Books are powerful, they introduce us to new ways of thinking and they deepen our own narratives, but they are not meant to sit on shelves or in cases, somehow making us look wiser to others. If you have a book that you've read---share it with others. If you are meaning to eventually read those dozen books on your bedside table, admit that you probably won't and give them away. Give extra money to libraries, literacy groups, writing groups for homeless or incarcerated or victims, and support them. Let the books live and breathe and move, and give yourself an airier space.
Okay, I need to restrain myself before I bring up stacks of magazines.
view krister's profile