Literature has a way of giving readers an imaginary escape into another world. A non-fiction book about the Revolutionary War allows you to dive deeper into the United States’ history. On the other hand, a mystery novel keeps you intrigued and questioning with each turn of a page. Eventually, there comes a time when every bookworm must sort through their collection to make room for new books. Read this article to learn more about tips for donating books to charity.
Decide What You Can Part With
As you remove books from your shelf, take time to carefully evaluate each one and ask yourself whether you need it. Sometimes, skill-based books can serve a use. You may have a recipe book with several dishes you love to cook. Some books hold stories that never fail to touch our hearts.
When you evaluate your book collection, ask yourself if the book can still teach you something or serve a purpose. If you answer no to both, set it aside to give it a new home for somebody else to enjoy!
Donate the Right Books
Every book you own may not make the most useful donation. For instance, an encyclopedia from 2000 has outdated information that won’t benefit the reader. Most book-centric donation companies also don’t want old textbooks; instead, they bring these to school bookstores to give to students.
Check for Signs of Damage
As you set aside books to donate, you need to evaluate them inside and out. Check the covers, spines, and pages for any signs of damage, like tears or deep creases. Also, look for water damage or yellowed pages, as both can greatly impact the book’s condition. Not sure whether the book is too damaged to donate? Ask yourself if you would give it to a friend. If the answer is no, then your best option is recycling it.
Organize Your Donation
Once you’ve decided what you can part with that’s also in good condition, it’s time to organize everything you have. If this was a family project, you might have fictional, non-fiction, and picture books; you may also have young adult and children’s novels. Try to organize your donations according to genre and reading level. While this step isn’t required, it helps the charity get books on shelves faster to continue its mission.
Search for a Charity
The final tip for donating books to charity is to find the right organization. Begin by searching for local charities in your area that support causes near to your heart. If you firmly believe in equal access to education, search for an organization that makes this their mission.
Project B Green is a for-profit organization that partners with non-profits in Maryland, the District of Colombia, and Northern Virginia. Contact us for a donation pick up to help those in need living in your community. Giving your books to those in need gives everyone a story to enjoy.