3 ms·

One of the rationalizations I use for collecting books is that, by organizing them in a certain way, I can constantly reinforce my model of the structure of cer

One of the rationalizations I use for collecting books is that, by organizing them in a certain way, I can constantly reinforce my model of the structure of certain topics. On top of that, the physical presence of certain books is intermingled with what they contain in such a way that I think it_might help retention. That said, I've given away a ton of books lately, and plan on keeping the books I own to a minimum until I have the means to construct a really strong library, which I do think is a positive endeavor. Also, tangentially related, does anyone have any suggestions on a good org to donate books to? I've seen one too many awesome sets of books mangled in Goodwill bins, and am looking for a new option.

martinpw 9y ago
I believe public libraries are usually happy to accept book donations.
- votepaunchy 9y ago
  Which are often immediately sold to the general public in a used book sale.
  - pimlottc 9y ago
    What's wrong with that? The library gets money and the book goes to someone that wants it. Win-win.
  - Naga 9y ago
    I have no problem with that. Selling used books as an individual is hard, since people will not pay a lot of money for them (since brand new books are cheap), so at least for me I find its not worth the time to sell them. At least then the public library benefits from the donation.
- jhbadger 9y ago
  True, but rarely do they actually incorporate the donations into their collections. More typically, they combine the donations with books they've culled from their collections and sell them in "Friends of the Library" sales to raise money. Which is all good and fine, but not often what people think will happen.
icantdrive55 9y ago
I like the Free Libray Box. I don't know much about it other than I give them my books. I also give to used book stores. (I like to help these guys because they are closing so fast.) I don't like giving to Goodwill. I think it's a questionable 501c3. Plus--by mid morning all books have usually been scanned by Professional Resellers, and any book that has any value is put right up to Amazon/etc. I really hate getting rid of reference books, and first editions. I know I will have to thin my collection down though. I once saw a show on Hording. The usually impeccably dressed Ph.D was using fake empathy to get an older gentleman to get rid of house of his book/advertisement libray. A libray his daughter said was ruining his life. They nagged the guy down, but he said one thing while the workers were tossing his books into the dumpster, "but--some--are 1st editions." There was no reply. I thought the "Dr" might have burped up, but nothing. The next few day, the "Dr" didn't understand why the neighbors were dumpster diving for the discarded books. Profesional stooge, "We filled that up yesterday, and the books are gone today?" I vaguely remember, the "Dr" quipping about, "just more Horders to heal?" In all honestly, getting rid of books made more sense in 2005. Why--because their wasen't a book I couldn't obtain somewhere on the internet then. Today, I just don't see the free books I saw in the past. The copyright lawyers did their job, and did it well.

martinpw 9y ago

I believe public libraries are usually happy to accept book donations.

votepaunchy 9y ago
Which are often immediately sold to the general public in a used book sale.
- pimlottc 9y ago
  What's wrong with that? The library gets money and the book goes to someone that wants it. Win-win.
- Naga 9y ago
  I have no problem with that. Selling used books as an individual is hard, since people will not pay a lot of money for them (since brand new books are cheap), so at least for me I find its not worth the time to sell them. At least then the public library benefits from the donation.
jhbadger 9y ago
True, but rarely do they actually incorporate the donations into their collections. More typically, they combine the donations with books they've culled from their collections and sell them in "Friends of the Library" sales to raise money. Which is all good and fine, but not often what people think will happen.

icantdrive55 9y ago

I like the Free Libray Box. I don't know much about it other than I give them my books. I also give to used book stores. (I like to help these guys because they are closing so fast.) I don't like giving to Goodwill. I think it's a questionable 501c3. Plus--by mid morning all books have usually been scanned by Professional Resellers, and any book that has any value is put right up to Amazon/etc. I really hate getting rid of reference books, and first editions. I know I will have to thin my collection down though. I once saw a show on Hording. The usually impeccably dressed Ph.D was using fake empathy to get an older gentleman to get rid of house of his book/advertisement libray. A libray his daughter said was ruining his life. They nagged the guy down, but he said one thing while the workers were tossing his books into the dumpster, "but--some--are 1st editions." There was no reply. I thought the "Dr" might have burped up, but nothing. The next few day, the "Dr" didn't understand why the neighbors were dumpster diving for the discarded books. Profesional stooge, "We filled that up yesterday, and the books are gone today?" I vaguely remember, the "Dr" quipping about, "just more Horders to heal?" In all honestly, getting rid of books made more sense in 2005. Why--because their wasen't a book I couldn't obtain somewhere on the internet then. Today, I just don't see the free books I saw in the past. The copyright lawyers did their job, and did it well.