Do you have any books you'd like to donate to New Orleans?

[babylonsister]

> 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 and 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
> 210 LOYOLA AVENUE
> NEW ORLEANS, LA 70112
>
> If you tell the post office that the books are for the
library in New
> Orleans, they will give you the library rate which is
slightly less than
> the book rate.
>

[madaboutharry]

1. Thank you for the information.

N/t

[Mythsaje]

2. My wife and I are already on this...

She's a reviewer and I have an extensive book collection that needs culled. We're gathering books of our own and trying to get others involved.

We fully support this action.

[uppityperson]

3. Snopes (urban legends) says this... (money better)

http://www.snopes.com/katrina/charity/library.asp

Which brings us to this March 2006 appeal for used books with which to restock the New Orleans Public Library system. While the NOPL will accept donated books, potential contributors should take into account the enormous staffing problem the NOPL is attempting to cope with. While on the surface it might seem a brilliant plan to ship off all one's unwanted volumes to answer the need for books to replace those lost or hopelessly damaged by the flooding, the public libraries in that beleaguered city haven't the staff to adequately receive, sort through, catalogue, and place on the shelves all of the public's kindhearted offerings. With so many of that area's libraries still physically unfit to be opened to the public, it's fair to say they currently lack even the shelves to put the books on.

In response to this widely e-mailed appeal, the New Orleans Public Library has created a FAQ to aid those persons desirous of lending a helping hand to that institution. In a nutshell, they ask the public to donate money over books:
Does the library accept book donations?

Yes. However, due to storage and staff limitations, we ask that donors consider a few suggestions: If you are a publisher, please contact us in advance at [email protected] before shipping large quantities of books. If you are an individual sending your own used books, please consider making a cash donation instead.

As the NOPL states:
What is the best way to help New Orleans Public Library?

Monetary donations are the best way to help the library rebuild (link here to donate online). If you would rather mail your donation, please make your check payable to NOPL Foundation and send it to New Orleans Public Library Foundation, 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112.
While packaging up your old books and mailing them off might seem the perfect solution to the NOPL's problems, do trust that the library better knows its own needs. Keep in mind that a great many books donated to libraries everywhere prove to be non-useful to those institutions; so, if you are moved to help, send money instead. If you want to support the New Orleans libraries with your old books, you can best do so by selling them yourself and giving the proceeds to the NOPL.

[LiberalinNC]

4. What a great idea; my daughter has some she was going to sell

I think I'll have her send them to the library instead. Thanks!

[northofdenali]

5. Only about 200 or so..........

I've been saving them for a yard sale - almost all are recent, mysteries, nonfiction, hardback, paperback, humor, a little of everything.

I'd rather send 'em to NO! Will box up and drag off to post office this weekend.

Thanks for the post, I'd never have even thought of this! :hi:

[Jim__]

6. Thanks for the info.

I have lots of books I've been looking to give away or sell. Sending them to NO is a great idea.

[likesmountains 52]

7. I sent a box last week...and more will follow..