You may be an insatiable reader, but the huge piles of dusty books lying around the house can start to bother you. You don't feel like throwing away your old beloved books, but on the other hand, you don't know what to do with them. To get rid of them you can decide to sell them, give them away or find other uses.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Gift the Books
Step 1. Donate the books to people around the world
They could make a big difference to those living in the poorest parts of the world. There are several charitable sites that deal with education. Do an online search and find the one that is closest or that best fits your intentions. On the various sites you will certainly find all the instructions on how to get in touch with them and how to get your old books to their destination.
- You can donate the books to associations that take care of families in need in your area, or to those that do international solidarity and operate all over the world.
- The topics, the language and the level of the books that are requested are generally well specified on the sites, in addition of course to the contact information. Get in touch with these associations before shipping your books to make sure your material is useful. For international shipments there may be customs formalities to be completed.
Step 2. Give the books to your city library
Smaller libraries often have old and outdated editions of the various books and will be happy to update their shelves. Furthermore, a greater number of copies allows the library to satisfy more users at the same time. Just make sure your books aren't damaged, moldy, scribbled, or missing some pages, or the library won't be able to accept them.
Step 3. Donate the books to a thrift store
Many of them have a section dedicated to books and, if they are in good condition, they will be happy to receive yours. Check if there are any such shops in your neighborhood; they will be even happier if you also have clothes and other items to give.
Step 4. Give the books to the church
Many churches accept these donations, which are then given to the less fortunate, or which are resold to raise their finances a little. Check if any church in your city is interested in receiving your used books.
Step 5. Find a charity
Search the internet to find one that accepts gift books. There are many countries trying to rebuild their libraries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East: your books could be part of this project.
Step 6. Leave your books "to nature"
Bookcrossing is a site that allows you to register your books and leave them around town where another person can pick them up and read them.
Step 7. Organize a "Free Reading" box
Go to places like a waiting room, a laundromat, a hospital lobby, bus stop, or wherever you see fit. Fill a box with your books and say "Free Reading". At school or in the office, put the box with the "Book Exchange" sign in the cafeteria or cafeteria. Just remember to ask for permission from whoever manages the area before putting the box in.
Step 8. Gift the books through a free online classifieds page
There are many sites that allow you to place free ads. In this way, those interested who read the announcement will contact you to come and take the book directly to your home. Of course, apart from books, you can donate any item you no longer need, but you don't want to throw away.
People who want your book will come to your home or workplace to pick it up. Make sure you can be trusted to leave your home or work address, especially if the contact was made on a website
Method 2 of 4: Selling the Books
Step 1. Sell the books online
You can try it on eBay, Subito.it and Amazon. Be aware that these sites may also charge a 15% commission on the sale price; be willing to lower the price if the book does not sell over time.
To sell books on the internet you must have an account on the site you have chosen, give basic information about the book and wait for an interested customer to contact you
Step 2. Sell your school textbooks to university bookstores
If they are recent enough, you may be able to recover a portion of the cover price. Call the bookstore well in advance to see if they accept your books. You will be more likely to succeed if you go to the same bookstore where you originally bought the books or try a different bookstore.
Step 3. Sell books directly to students who need them
Go to university and find the courses you have recently finished and ask students if they are interested in purchasing your texts for part of the original price. Both you and them will benefit from the offer. You can also ask your friends if they know anyone who is going to college soon and who might be interested in your books, or you can lurk outside the classroom and approach students directly. Just try not to be aggressive.
Step 4. Sell the books to a thrift store
Usually these stores pay for the books in cash or with a coupon if they are in acceptable condition. Most stores sell used books for half the price, and then buy them for cash at around 15% of the cover price, or give you a 20% coupon. The shopkeeper will also do a research on the value of the various books, but do not think that that will be the price he will pay you: he too must make money.
If you want to make as much money as possible, sell books online; if you want to get rid of a large amount of volumes quickly, go to the library
Step 5. Organize a private sale
This way you can sell both books and some items you no longer use. If you are selling a piece of furniture and you have an interested customer, you can also offer them books. You can advertise the sale through social media or by word of mouth among friends, just remember to tell people you know well enough and can trust so you can confidently give them your address.
Method 3 of 4: Exchanging Old Books
Step 1. Organize an exchange
Invite some friends over to your house and ask them to bring a box full of old books. Sit down all together and start passing them to see if some exchange is possible. Just make sure you don't end up with more books than you've given away!
Step 2. Organize a "white elephant" just for books
It is a dark exchange of wrapped "gifts", in this case books, in the hope of receiving something better than what you give. Make sure all attendees know that only old books are allowed. To be fun, this game needs at least 6 guests.
Step 3. Exchange your old books for new ones
Many sites allow you to do this type of transaction; do some research online. For every used book you send to someone, you get credit to buy a new one.
Step 4. Swap books for video games, CDs or movies
Again, many websites can help you trade your old books by putting you in touch with other users, who in turn may have items that interest you. It's a great way to flesh out your CD, movie, or video game collection, and get rid of your books at the same time.
Method 4 of 4: Other Methods
Step 1. Give your books to a party
Throw a party with your book-loving friends. After a couple of hours, put a box full of books in the middle of the room and ask your friends to pick and take away the one they like best. They will surely launch themselves on the box in search of an interesting text; you will be surprised at how quickly the box will empty.
Step 2. Give the books to friends who know how to appreciate them
Go through the texts and put a post-it on the cover with the name of the person you want to donate it to. Then hand them out - it will feel more like a careful gift than an attempt to get rid of old things. You can tell your friends things like "This book made me think of you" or "I know you'll like this book." Everyone will appreciate your gesture.
Step 3. Find a secret compartment in the book
If it's an old book that's so damaged that it's no longer useful, then you can use it to create a secret hiding place for some of your treasures. Here's how to do it:
- Find a sturdy old book and glue the pages together with vinyl glue. Let it dry for at least five minutes.
- With a pencil, draw a rectangle about 1.5 cm from the edge of the book.
- With a utility knife, cut out the rectangle by "digging" a little at a time between the pages.
- Keep cutting until the cavity reaches the ideal depth to hide your items.
- Hide what you want in the book.
Step 4. Use your books to decorate your home
Discover ideas online for creating decorations using old books.
- A stack of old books can be made into a flower vase or bookend, among other uses.
- Get creative and decorate your home, or give these “transformed” books as gifts!
Step 5. Recycle
If the books are so bad that you can't really use them again, then it's time to throw them away. However, don't just put them in the trash - recycle them to be more environmentally friendly. Some cities have a door-to-door separate collection program for paper and cardboard, while other municipalities have a dedicated collection area. Ask your municipality's technical office how and where you can recycle your old books.
Advice
- If you donate your books to a nonprofit, see if you can ask for a receipt for a tax break.
- Check the condition of the book before selling it. Nobody wants to buy a worn, pen-marked, stained or broken book; if you are trying to sell it to a store, a book in this condition may not win the bookseller's trust.
- If you're selling privately, be original (and cheap!) In pricing. Start with 50 cents per book, or 5 books for 2 euros. Invite people to get more books. Especially if you have a lot of them, remember that the goal is to get rid of as many books as possible, because they are difficult to keep and to resell. Set irresistible prices to make more sales.
- Cardboard document boxes are great for moving books. You could get them at local bookstores who often throw them away, but get in touch first to confirm.
- Grab a bag full of books and walk around your neighborhood. Don't set prices, but let potential buyers make an offer - they'll think they're getting a deal!
Warnings
- Don't sell a book before you've researched its value.
- Some used book stores charge fees when you use your credit.
- Private resales often have poor results.
- University bookstores are notorious for paying very little for used books.
