DONATION$, DISCARD$, SALE$

JUST SAY YE$ !

THE CHALLENGE:• Libraries are constantly confronted with

what to do with ‘unwanted’ books – be they from a well-intended donor, or withdrawals from the collection.

• Develop strategies to make the most of these materials: add them to the collection; earn dollars; develop partnerships AND create good will for the library.

TWO PRONG PROBLEM•  Withdrawals: We’ve spent lots of money

on these books, but no one is using them… and we need space!

• Donations: how can we deal with them? We don’t have the staff and storage, but we don’t want to ‘put off’ well-meaning donors, either!

…AND ONE MORE PROBLEM

•BUY-IN! • It is critical to have recognition from

management that a proactive program to handle discards and donations is beneficial.

• COMMIT to a positive response to the

‘problem’ – you CAN say ‘YES!’, if management recognizes the importance of this often over-looked opportunity.

GEISEL LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

GEISEL LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

•Withdrawals

•Donation Process

GEISEL LIBRARY AGREEMENT FOR DONATION

________________________________________________________________ Name (printed) of Donor

Hereby transfers to Saint Anselm College the following materials to the Geisel Library:

It is hereby understood that the donor transfers to Saint Anselm College possession and absolute title to the above described materials. It is also understood that the donor dedicates to the public whatever copyright he/she may own in the content of these materials. Materials not appropriate to the collections will be disposed of by the library or, if specified, returned to the donor. The Librarian of Saint Anselm College may not, under any circumstances, render monetary appraisals of potential gifts to the Library.

GEISEL LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

•Donation Process

•Book Sales

MARKETING IDEAS: KEEP IT FREE!

• Parent’s Day mailings• Signs around campus and sent on the van• Email to students, faculty, staff• Blog on the library homepage• Student radio station• Cable access news: Goffstown and Manchester• WMUR, WZID, NHPR• Goffstown News, Bedford Bulletin, Hippo• NHAIS-L• Craig’s List• Free Book Sale Websites: BookSaleFinder.com;

BookSalePirate.com; BookSaleManger.com

THINGS WE’VE LEARNED:

• Student Preview the evening before• Book sellers are our friends, but we need to

educate them• Buck a Bag by the 3rd day• “Specials Table” can be very lucrative

• Sometimes the PR from a book sale can be as good as the proceeds themselves!

ALIBRIS ONLINE BOOK SALES

• Geisel began in 2009• Cost was $19.95 for basic account (no annual fee)• We pay $1/book plus 15% commission • We are reimbursed for $3.99/item for shipping• Use Bookfinder.com to assist in pricing

• Useful to make desk time more productive

OTHER IDEAS?• Before the book sale consider the NHAIS list! • Before the book sale: make partners with other libraries.• After the book sale, rebox some for next year – good stuff

often gets overlooked.• Check in with local schools, and consider inviting

teachers and librarians to shop at your book sale for free.• Develop far-flung relationships. Get further buy-in with

campus (or community) groups to help with the cost of shipping.

• Social agencies: Kid’s Café in Manchester. Nursing homes. Prisons– be mindful of their needs and requirements.

• Disaster areas: Alabama may likely be in need. Check http://www.arsl.info/ (Association for Rural and Small Libraries) for specific needs.

• Partner with agencies like the NH State National Guard… perhaps we could work together on something like this.

• Contact art classes, and artists in the community. • Secular or religious organizations that will take books to send to

schools in Africa and Asia.• Better World Books, Thriftbooks, BookMooch. Usually provide

free shipping and support various charities.• Suggestions from the group: GotBooks.com;

BigHeartedBooks.com; powells.com

• What ideas can you share?

SAYING ‘YES!’ CAN:• Provide valuable material to add to your library

collection;

• Generate income to increase library purchases;

• Create an opportunity to share resources with other libraries and social agencies;

• Result in positive public relations and ‘good will’ for your library and college / community.

THE ACA EXPERIENCE

• Thanks for your attention – please contact me with questions, ideas, collaborations… or donations!

• Betsy Holmes• Collection and User Services Librarian• Geisel Library, Saint Anselm College• 603-641-7166• eholmes@anselm.edu