by guest writer, Emilee Newman Bowles

Sometime after my apartment’s square footage dropped below 450 and my book collection passed 700, I asked myself if I really needed all the books I was lugging around. The answer: I was still attached to most of them, but some could definitely go. If I wasn’t going to read a particular book again, nor was I holding onto it in hopes of having a child as nerdy as me who might want to read it someday, I decided I could (and definitely should) get rid of it. And as I had replaced the cheap paperbacks of my all-time favorites with pretty hardback editions, I didn’t really need to hold onto my well-loved childhood copies.

But what to do with the books I no longer need? I can’t bring myself to throw a book away-not even a college-assigned book that I hated-and putting a book in the recycling bin really doesn’t make me feel better about throwing away someone’s words. I can only let go of a book if I believe someone else will read it someday. Goodwill donation is always an option, but I think I’ve found an even better one.

When my family visits me from Utah, they always request that we go to “The Bookstore.” No, not Powell’s; I’m talking about The Book Corner, operated by the Friends of the Beaverton Library. It’s a book-lovers heaven where most paperbacks are fifty cents and hardbacks are a dollar (books published in the last few years are slightly more). A place where my limited budget can still satisfy my book addiction. The Book Corner is located in a small house with bookshelves on every wall (my dream house!), and is staffed by volunteers. Besides being my favorite place to buy used books, this is a great place to donate books you have culled from your overstuffed square footage. Donations are tax deductible and all proceeds go to benefit the library. Ah, so many ways to feel good about getting rid of your old books…

Another favorite book drop-off of mine is the tiny Garden Home Community Library. They have a book cart outside their door where people can deposit unwanted books, and anyone who cares to may pick them up for free. Granted, these are most often mass-market romances and Reader’s Digest books, but every once in a while I find a treasure. And when I contribute a good book to that cart, I always hope its new owner will be exposed to an author they never would have picked up except for the fact that it was a free book (who can resist free books?).

You may not live in Washington County, Oregon, and be able to visit my wonderful world of reused books, but every public library will gladly accept your book donations. If they can’t add them to their collection, they will sell them and the proceeds will help fund buying new books or services for the library. Besides helping the planet by contributing less waste, you can feel good about sharing literature, supporting your local library, and about having one less book to lug with you on your next move.

Friends of the Beaverton City Library
The Book Corner
12470 SW 5th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97005
www.thebookcorner.org/
Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sundays, noon to 3:00 p.m.

Garden Home Community Library (part of Washington County Cooperative Library Services)
7475 SW Oleson Rd.

Portland, OR 97223

www.wilinet.wccls.lib.or.us/your_libraries/detail.cfm?lc=GHL

503) 245-9932
Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday

Also check out Book Crossing where you can leave and pick up used books around your city: www.bookcrossing.com/