From Mamita Mala:
The New Orleans Public Library is asking for any and all hardcover and paperback books for people of all ages in an effort to restock the shelves after Katrina. The staff will assess which titles will be designated for its collections. The rest will be distributed to destitute families or sold for library fundraising. Please send your books to:
Rica A. Trigs, Public Relations
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112
Now that, my friends, strikes me as a good cause. Damn. I can already think of a number of books that I and my wife have that we could sell on half.com that could just as easily go to a public library system in need. I’ll start raiding my bookshelves over the next couple weeks.
Cross-posted at The Left End of the Dial.
First, smile, because if you have a surfeit of books, you are not poor, you just don’t have money.
Second, call your local AIDS hospice and abused ladies organizations. The clients of both will enjoy and benefit from your books. Some of them will even come to your house and pick them up.
And thank you James, for reminding people that New Orleans needs books. So many things are needed there that it is easy to overlook this important need, and one that many people will be able to help with.
Not a problem. Feeding the mind and soul (like feeding the body) is a basic need. 🙂
Thanks for the heads up on this one, it’ll be a great excuse to weed through the pile.
On the subject of NOLA, btw, here an article by Bill Quigley Six Months after Katrina: Who Was Left Behind–Then and Now
Well worth reading. Saw it on Counterpunch. Glad that Truthout also picked it up.
and we’ll be going to the Friends of the Library book store where they have hardbound for $1 and $2 each. I’ll pick up some more and ship them.
Thanks for the heads up.
What a great idea! And boy, do I have books…not that there’s such a thing as too many books…but…I have a lot of books…and I have books at work…many, many books….
If shipping is a problem also remember ‘media mail’-cheapest rate going. Thanks for posting this, I have a bunch of books I was just sorting out.
Say more about what media mail is? I have so many books I could send, but money for postage is an issue.
Thank you for this way to do something!
It’s what used to be known as “book rate.” If you’re sending books, cds, dvds, etc., you can ship them as “media mail” at your local post office. Packages may take a little more time to arrive at their destination, but it’s tons cheaper than mailing them first class.
I’ve sent & received scores of books this way; it’s the only way, really. There didn’t seem to be undue delay in any case — mail that generally takes three days, for example, arrived in a week.
Dear James Benjamin,
Thank you so much for the opportunity and the information to make a real difference. I just recently moved to Sacramento, CA from Ireland, where I have been living for the last 14 years. My first week here, on a very limited budget, I bought some books on the African American artist Romare Beardon. I lent these books to my sister and brother-in-law, with an idea that I might contribute these books to the Sacramento Public Library system…..
But no, your idea is BRILLIANT !! Happy to contribute. Thanks a million !
m.suskind
Is there a sort of clearing house for this kind of donation in Los Angeles.
I have hundreds of scientific,photography,construction & fishkeeping periodicals. I also have hundreds of hardcover & softcover books, mostly nonfiction. I`ve read all of them, so even though I somtimes use them for references, I would easily part with them for a chance to share.
The shipping costs would be a little much for me I believe. I mention Los Angeles only as a point of origin for transshipment to New Orleans.
One pound is $1.59, but it gets progressively cheaper as the weight and number of the books goes up.
For instance, 50 POUNDS of books ship anywhere in the U.S. for only $19.00!
They need money for rebuilding the library too.
I wondered about this after seeing it on several blogs so I contacted the New Orleans Public Library to ask about it. (I deal with gift books in my library so I know how cumbersome it can be.) This is the response I just received:
Many caring people have contacted us to ask how they can help. You can assist by donating funds or books. New books will be used to replace those damaged in our branches; the Friends of NOPL will accept used books for their fund-raising book sales.
Their webpage goes on to list where funds can be donated: New Orleans Public Library Foundation Rebuilding Campaign and Friends of New Orleans Public Library’s Restoration Fund.
Absolutely great idea. I am a bookaholic and although I periodically weed through and donate to various causes, this has inspired me to seriously clear out some shelves. Thank you.
I never get rid of books, even the ones that I have already read and re-read. Learned that lesson the hard way–had to buy a book that someone “borrowed” and never returned.
Just in case one of them may come in handy someday…
Thank you, James, for the suggestion. I also thank Ductape Fatwa for further excellent advice.
I may be moving to much smaller digs before long & will have to part with my only actual treasure, a sizeable book collection. I’d rather donate them to institutions & individuals in need than be forced bring them to the local recycling center if our local library won’t accept them.
Thanks again.
I gave this information to the company I work for to forward to all employees across the nation. We have over 10,000 employees just in the call centers so I am hoping this will really help.
I will be packing up the majority of my books and sending them. I have also posted this message to several email groups I belong to to try and help also.