Books like many items, simply rot away on our shelves and become clutter if we don't use them. Left unused for long periods of time, well, you know what happens to many of them. They collect a ridiculous amount of dust, turn yellow, and start to fall apart! Unused books create stagnant or stuck energy in your home. And they start to smell bad, too!

Is this the life you intended for the book when you bought it? Wouldn't it be great to share what you got out of the book with others? Why are you hanging on to them when they could be having a useful life and continue to be of value to people?

Okay, so if I can't appeal to your philanthropic nature, let me try the money angle. : ) If you donate your books - and itemize deductions, you can deduct them from your income taxes! Check out It's Deductible software. They allow you anywhere for 2 - 30$ per book depending on the type. You can also donate your Books on CD and Books on Tape!

Where to Give Your Books Away

I did some digging around...and here are 11 neat ideas for sharing the books you love, before they become just clutter in your home.

1. Your Local Library Unfortunately, many libraries don't take book donations anymore! But some do so it is worth finding out if there a library near you that will take your books, even if your city or town does not. Note: They will usually take Books on CD and Books on Tape, Videos, DVDs, and Music CDs and Tapes too! What a great way to give your media life...and you can still check them out yourself if you want!
2. JustGIVE.org This site provides a great list of places to donate just about anything! Whether you want to donate Books, Furniture, Household Good and Clothing, Computers, Cars, Cell Phones, Pet Supplies, Eyeglasses, your Hair, or even your Organs, you can find a resource here. http://www.justgive.org/html/ways/ways7.html
3. Friends of Libraries, USA This group is currently accepting donations to rebuild libraries affected by hurricanes and more. You can ship books to them. Address: 1420 Walnut St, Suite 450 Philadelphia, PA 19102-4017 Call: 215-790-1674 or 1-800-9FOLUSA http://www.folusa.org/
4. Vietnam Veteran's Association They have both pick up service and drop off service. There is a limit on the number of books you can donate at one time.(2 bags or 2 boxes in my area). Not all areas have pick up service. They will also allow you to set up a monthly pick up. This is a great way to keep the volume of stuff in your home under control. Simply set up a donation area in your home and fill up the yellow bag they give you every month. http://www.clothingdonations.org/service.htm or http://www.vva.org/
5. Freecyle Here you can list your ads for free and give your books or anything else away! http://www.freecycle.org/finder/f/books/page_1.html
6. BookCrossing The practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. You can register your book and track its travels here! http://www.bookcrossing.com/
7. Housing Works in NYC 126 Crosby Street, NYC 10012 (212-334-3324) You can drop off or ship books to them. They work to end homelessness and AIDS in NYC. http://www.housingworks.org/usedbookcafe/donate.html
8. Craigslist Here you can list your ads for free and give your books or anything else away! http://www.craigslist.org
9. Bridge to Asia's Textbook and Journal Donation Program Not sure who would want your old textbooks and professional journals? This group seeks college, graduate and professional level teaching and research materials in English. They collect books, journals and other forms of information, both used and new. http://www.bridge.org/books.html
10. Paperback Swap Here you can mail your books in (usually costs $1.59 per book)and get credits. Then you can use your credits to get books you want. Neat, huh? http://www.paperbackswap.com
11. Books Through Bars What better way to rehabilitate someone than through education and reading? This program provides books to prisoners. Before sending books, make sure you check the rules on what types of reading material each prison allows. http://www.booksthroughbars.org/

Noteable Book Related Charity

FIRST BOOK They don't take books, but you can donate to help kids in need get their "first books." http://www.firstbook.org/site/c.lwKYJ8NVJvF/b.674095/k.CC09/Home.htm

So if you really love your books, and don't want them to just become clutter, get them organized and pass them on to a place where they will be loved and useful once again!



Ariane Benefit, M.S.Ed., is a professional organizer, coach, author and speaker with over 25 years experience helping people and businesses reach new heights of performance. She has written over 80 articles which can be found on the popular "Neat Living Blog: Neat Ideas for Life" at http://www.NeatLiving.net and at http://www.OrganizingForHealth.com. She also publishes the "Neat Living Newsletter."

Ariane has coached hundreds of individuals to reach their goals and consulted with many of the Fortune 500. She resides in Bloomfield, NJ with her husband, Alan and three adorable Maine Coone cats. When not helping people organize their lives, she enjoys gardening, entertaining, traveling and riding her motorcycle. She can be reached at 973-429-2100 for private consultations and coaching. Visit her on the web at http://www.NeatLiving.org.