Guidelines for Donating New Children’s Books
“Books, to the reading child, are so much more than books - they are dreams and knowledge, they are a future, and a past.” - Esther Meynell, Noted English Writer
We appreciate your interest in donating new children’s books to Room to Read. In each of the libraries that Room to Read establishes we include a number of English books, depending on the usage of English in that country. The following are some general guidelines for collecting new children's books for our program.
100 Book Minimum. In order to keep our overhead low and ensure that we contribute the maximum amount to our programs, we ask that you collect a minimum of 100 books. We have found that it actually costs Room to Read more time and money to sort and ship smaller quantities, than it does to purchase new books within the countries where we work.
New Books. Room to Read does not accept used book donations. While we understand the desire to donate used books, we cannot accept used book donations as it actually costs Room to Read more time and money to sort and ship used books than their value. Instead of donating used books, we ask that you consider fundraising and donating the proceeds to Room to Read to establish libraries or create new books. Alternatively, we have a very successful relationship with Better World Books which may be of interest to you. They sell used books on our behalf and donate the proceeds to Room to Read to help fund all of our programs. For more information please visit their website. You can also contact them directly by emailing info@betterworldbooks.com and mentioning Room to Read.
Types of Books. The following types of NEW books are much needed in the countries where we operate. We have also compiled a suggested list of titles.
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Picture books for young children who can't yet read
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Simple children's storybooks (think Clifford the Big Red Dog or Hop on Pop)
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ABC and 123 books, or anything suitable to teaching young children the English language
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Hardcover books that are thick and durable
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Educational books that are fun - science, geography, math, world history, etc.
Certain materials and subjects are NOT accepted by Room to Read, including:
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Culturally-sensitive topics (examples include materialism, books about sports cars, single parent families, and other topics that are mainstream in the U.S., but not in the countries in which we operate)
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Religious books (we are non-denominational and do not promote any religion)
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Books not appropriate for young children
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All books printed in any language other than English
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Fiction such as "dime-store" novels, mysteries, romance
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Journals and magazines
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Textbooks
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Supplementary materials or single use items such as: lab manuals, study guides, teacher's editions, workbooks, or craft kits
How Can You Help?
Individuals
If you would like to organize a book drive to collect new children’s books that meet the above criteria, please contact our team at gifts.in.kind@roomtoread.org to get started.
Students, Teachers, and Schools
If you would like to organize a book drive through your school, please view our Students Helping Students page for more information.
Corporations
A book drive is a fantastic way to engage employees and introduce Room to Read to a company. To hold a book drive in conjunction with your company, please email gifts.in.kind@roomtoread.org and indicate which corporation or organization you work for.
Publishers and Bookstores
Each year Room to Read relies extensively on publishers and bookstores to stock our libraries. Without the large quantity of donations of new children's books from publishers and bookstores we receive, we would not be as successful. For additional information about this program, please email gifts.in.kind@roomtoread.org.