Please help me find new homes for new children's books!
September 2, 2017 8:02 AM Subscribe
I regularly make donations of children's books to various organizations, and I'm looking for some new ideas for organizations/groups that can use them.
One of the best perks of my job is that I have access to a lot of new children's paperbacks (PreK-8th grade)--either free to me or at steep discounts. Because I deeply believe that all kids need easy access to books, I try to make personal book donations throughout the year--and I'm looking for new suggestions for specific organizations or groups that would be able to use them.
Please note that this is a request for *specific* suggestions--I know that I can "check with local schools/libraries/organizations ." I'm looking for *specific* groups/facilities that I may not be aware of, but who have a need for new kids books as part of their outreach. I can ship anywhere in the US.
I already regularly donate to a local children's hospital, to an organization that provides books to incarcerated women(many of them request kids books to give to their children as gifts on visiting days), to a holiday "store" for displaced families, and to several schools in high poverty areas--but I'm always looking for new recipients. I'm usually able to donate 50-75 books(assorted titles) at a time. I'm especially looking for groups that may not be highly publicized, and as a result, may not receive many book donations, but who still have a need.
Thanks in advance for helping me get more books into the hands of more kids!
One of the best perks of my job is that I have access to a lot of new children's paperbacks (PreK-8th grade)--either free to me or at steep discounts. Because I deeply believe that all kids need easy access to books, I try to make personal book donations throughout the year--and I'm looking for new suggestions for specific organizations or groups that would be able to use them.
Please note that this is a request for *specific* suggestions--I know that I can "check with local schools/libraries/organizations ." I'm looking for *specific* groups/facilities that I may not be aware of, but who have a need for new kids books as part of their outreach. I can ship anywhere in the US.
I already regularly donate to a local children's hospital, to an organization that provides books to incarcerated women(many of them request kids books to give to their children as gifts on visiting days), to a holiday "store" for displaced families, and to several schools in high poverty areas--but I'm always looking for new recipients. I'm usually able to donate 50-75 books(assorted titles) at a time. I'm especially looking for groups that may not be highly publicized, and as a result, may not receive many book donations, but who still have a need.
Thanks in advance for helping me get more books into the hands of more kids!
Not in the US but close by, in BC Rotary collects children's books to distribute in First Nations communities up north, where there is less acccess to libraries.
posted by Valancy Rachel at 8:12 AM on September 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 8:12 AM on September 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Ronald McDonald houses--siblings of sick kids sometimes stay there along with parents.
posted by msbubbaclees at 8:15 AM on September 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by msbubbaclees at 8:15 AM on September 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Children first communities in schools is a very local to me nonprofit (full disclosure, my bff works there.) They are awesome and they love getting new children's books for their learning centers and to give as gifts and awards. If you're looking for something more local to you, the United Way might be a good resource for discovering similar child and family focused non profits.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:40 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:40 AM on September 2, 2017
My two suggestions have already been said, so I'll second them: battered women's shelters and the Ronald McDonald house.
posted by kevinbelt at 8:53 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by kevinbelt at 8:53 AM on September 2, 2017
Comfort Cases. They provide backpacks for children entering foster care, who are often given garbage bags to hold their possessions. They list books as possible suggested donations.
posted by FencingGal at 9:02 AM on September 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 9:02 AM on September 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Reader to reader: http://www.readertoreader.org/lend-a-hand/giving-to-rtr
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:10 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:10 AM on September 2, 2017
Serve The People Charlotte is a Charlotte, NC group that I've been doing work with lately and books to give to the children would be amazing.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 10:17 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 10:17 AM on September 2, 2017
Food pantry / food bank
posted by kittydelsol at 10:23 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by kittydelsol at 10:23 AM on September 2, 2017
For the middle school age range (and up if you sometimes get more YA stuff), Books Beyond Bars is a book outreach program to an LA County Juvenile Justice facility. I used to volunteer with them when I was in library school and it looks like they are still active. They don't list a mailing address on the website, but if you email them hopefully they will get back to you.
I also found this Goodreads group which posts other juvenile detention centers and prison libraries looking for books. These facilities usually only accept paperback books, so could be a good match for your donations!
posted by wsquared at 10:33 AM on September 2, 2017
I also found this Goodreads group which posts other juvenile detention centers and prison libraries looking for books. These facilities usually only accept paperback books, so could be a good match for your donations!
posted by wsquared at 10:33 AM on September 2, 2017
when we took my son to the uva children's hospital he was given a book in the waiting room. The sticker in it says "this is a gift from the Soho center, www.child2000.org". if you'd like to reach out to them I imagine they'd be interested!
posted by noloveforned at 10:39 AM on September 2, 2017
posted by noloveforned at 10:39 AM on September 2, 2017
When my mother managed our local Red Cross shelter, all kinds of kids' items were very welcome, including books and toys.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:39 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:39 PM on September 2, 2017
A pediatrics clinic I've worked in gave age appropriate books to children who had limited access to books at home
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 2:14 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 2:14 PM on September 2, 2017
If there's a children's residential mental health facility in your area, they would LOVE new books--I worked at one and the books they had were 20+ years old and completely ignored.
posted by epj at 2:24 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by epj at 2:24 PM on September 2, 2017
The Baer School in Baltimore which serves special needs students: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/Page/9436
And yes, most students enjoy regular books, from pre-k on up.
posted by childofTethys at 2:47 PM on September 2, 2017
And yes, most students enjoy regular books, from pre-k on up.
posted by childofTethys at 2:47 PM on September 2, 2017
The Maryland Book Bank does a great job of getting books into the hands of children who would not otherwise have their own. They give books to families for their homes, teachers for their classrooms, social service organizations, Head Start programs etc. They even have a bookmobile to get out into the neighborhoods.
posted by maxg94 at 7:15 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by maxg94 at 7:15 PM on September 2, 2017
Project Night Night? Similar to Comfort Cases, but for homeless kids.
posted by pyro979 at 7:22 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by pyro979 at 7:22 PM on September 2, 2017
The courthouse where juvenile hearings take place often is a separate area that has a kid-friendly waiting area. Ours is always looking for books because they encourage the kids to just take them if they want them.
posted by gatorae at 9:19 PM on September 2, 2017
posted by gatorae at 9:19 PM on September 2, 2017
Safe Horizon in NYC has Family Court Reception Centers at the courthouses where families can be safe while waiting to be seen in family court. I know they try to have books there for the kids, so I imagine they'd take donations.
posted by praemunire at 2:41 AM on September 3, 2017
posted by praemunire at 2:41 AM on September 3, 2017
Hi bookmammal, I sent you a MeMail with some info on a local project where I live.
posted by carter at 3:48 PM on September 3, 2017
posted by carter at 3:48 PM on September 3, 2017
Westside Baby takes book donations for kids 0-12. They distribute them, along with clothes, toys, diapers, and gear, through hundred or so social service agencies in King County, Washington.
Full disclosure, I volunteer for them.
posted by Margalo Epps at 3:26 PM on September 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Full disclosure, I volunteer for them.
posted by Margalo Epps at 3:26 PM on September 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by corb at 8:06 AM on September 2, 2017 [6 favorites]