1 / 16

Maximizing Library Resources: The Discard, Donation, and Sale Challenge

Explore strategies to handle unwanted books at libraries effectively, covering withdrawals, donations, and book sales. Learn marketing ideas, online sales options, and collaborative opportunities to generate income, enhance collections, and foster goodwill.

taylor
Download Presentation

Maximizing Library Resources: The Discard, Donation, and Sale Challenge

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Just Say YE$ ! Donation$, Discard$, Sale$

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. …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.

  5. Geisel Library Experience

  6. Geisel Library Experience • Withdrawals • Donation Process

  7. Geisel Library Experience • Donation Process • Book Sales

  8. 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

  9. 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!

  10. 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

  11. Other Ideas? • Before the book sale consider the NHAIS list! • Before the book sale: make partners with other libraries. • After the book sale, reboxsome 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.

  12. 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?

  13. 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.

  14. The ACA Experience

  15. 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

More Related