Can't seem to part with your old books? Here are some tips on how to let them go
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When was the last time you went through your bookshelf? Through the years, some of us have built impressive collections. However, some of our books might now be collecting dust after sitting on the shelves for a long time.
While rediscovering them can be magical, we can also discover, often to our horror, that their condition has deteriorated. The covers could be faded, the pages loose, and the paper yellow. We might also want to keep just a few, and then let go of the others. But where do we begin?
A member of the UK forum Gransnet faced such a dilemma when she found three suitcases of old children’s books.
She said: ‘A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take a look in the attic with the help of my daughter-in-law. She decided it was best to bring things down for me to look through. We call her the 'white tornado' – if it's not nailed down, it's gone. We've found three suitcases full of mostly children's books. A few of them were mine or my two sons. Lots of them were books I read with my grandchildren.’
However, the daughter-in-law proposed to do something she did not agree with: ‘She says we should get rid of them as no one wants them. Even a lot of charity shops are not taking books. I have spent a lot of time trying to find an outlet for books. Even some of the recycling depots don't want them because of the glue that they use in books.’
She continued: ‘I just hate to throw something away that someone else might be able to use. It appears that some places that take books want them new or in absolutely pristine condition. My son says they are trying to help me declutter and I am not cooperating. Part of me feels like packing them back in the suitcases, putting them back in the attic and closing the door. Where do I go from here?’
Some stories in children’s books still have relevant lessons to this day. Credit: Lina Vikava/Pexels
Many users recommended doing some sort of sale. One said: ‘Children’s books are expensive! Why not do a car boot stall and sell them? I’m sure there will be plenty of takers.’
Another suggested selling the books online: ‘I am no authority, but I once made a marketplace account on Amazon with my son and sold books that way.’
Someone else said: ‘Some children's books can be sold on eBay. Check them to see if they are worth any money in Completed Listings, you can then see how much they sold for.’
Meanwhile, one user said it is still possible to donate them: ‘My local charity shops regularly put out appeals for books as they don’t get enough donated, so I wouldn’t take your daughter-in-law’s word for it without checking your local shops.’
Another said that the best solution might simply (and sadly) be to dispose of them: ‘My son is a bookseller and I gleaned a little info from him. Old books are usually without monetary value and are a fire hazard. Get rid of them when you can.’
However, you shouldn’t be too quick to get rid of used books: ‘Old books in good condition may be of some value, especially if signed by the author, or interesting first editions in good condition. Very specialist antique books sometimes fall into this category.’
Before giving away your books, you might want to see if they are first editions or signed by the author. Some inscriptions might also add value, especially if they are dedication copies. And it’s not just literary works aimed at older readers – rare children’s books have been sold for thousands of dollars to collectors. In fact, the online marketplace AbeBooks sold a 1937 first edition of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien for US$65,000!
You might want to check out this video that discusses what makes an old book valuable:
Another comment on the post said: ‘If the books are clean and in decent condition, then might it be worth offering them to a local primary school? Either for their library/classrooms or for them to give away to children/parents, who might be glad to have them. This could be appreciated in the current difficult financial circumstances many schools and people are facing.’
In Australia, some organisations accept pre-loved books for use by communities in need. The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation provides books, both old and new, to Indigenous, refugee and marginalised communities. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation also runs school book drives, but they are currently at capacity, so you might want to check back in the future.
Vinnies and Salvos also welcome used books, and Street Library has drop-off points across the country. You can search for more organisations accepting donations here.
If you can’t find any charities or stores that will accept your books, you can always choose to recycle (understandably, this is the last resort for many of us). However, you’ll need to do a few more steps than just putting them in the recycling bin. Many recyclers do not accept books because of the plastic covers and the adhesive used to bind the pages, so you might have to tear the book (Oh no! Sacrilege!). However, it is recommended to throw books with brown or water-damaged pages straight into the general waste bin. If you are unsure, you can always talk to your local council for advice.
Do you have any books you don’t want to let go of? Let us know in the comments!
While rediscovering them can be magical, we can also discover, often to our horror, that their condition has deteriorated. The covers could be faded, the pages loose, and the paper yellow. We might also want to keep just a few, and then let go of the others. But where do we begin?
A member of the UK forum Gransnet faced such a dilemma when she found three suitcases of old children’s books.
She said: ‘A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take a look in the attic with the help of my daughter-in-law. She decided it was best to bring things down for me to look through. We call her the 'white tornado' – if it's not nailed down, it's gone. We've found three suitcases full of mostly children's books. A few of them were mine or my two sons. Lots of them were books I read with my grandchildren.’
However, the daughter-in-law proposed to do something she did not agree with: ‘She says we should get rid of them as no one wants them. Even a lot of charity shops are not taking books. I have spent a lot of time trying to find an outlet for books. Even some of the recycling depots don't want them because of the glue that they use in books.’
She continued: ‘I just hate to throw something away that someone else might be able to use. It appears that some places that take books want them new or in absolutely pristine condition. My son says they are trying to help me declutter and I am not cooperating. Part of me feels like packing them back in the suitcases, putting them back in the attic and closing the door. Where do I go from here?’
Some stories in children’s books still have relevant lessons to this day. Credit: Lina Vikava/Pexels
Many users recommended doing some sort of sale. One said: ‘Children’s books are expensive! Why not do a car boot stall and sell them? I’m sure there will be plenty of takers.’
Another suggested selling the books online: ‘I am no authority, but I once made a marketplace account on Amazon with my son and sold books that way.’
Someone else said: ‘Some children's books can be sold on eBay. Check them to see if they are worth any money in Completed Listings, you can then see how much they sold for.’
Meanwhile, one user said it is still possible to donate them: ‘My local charity shops regularly put out appeals for books as they don’t get enough donated, so I wouldn’t take your daughter-in-law’s word for it without checking your local shops.’
Another said that the best solution might simply (and sadly) be to dispose of them: ‘My son is a bookseller and I gleaned a little info from him. Old books are usually without monetary value and are a fire hazard. Get rid of them when you can.’
However, you shouldn’t be too quick to get rid of used books: ‘Old books in good condition may be of some value, especially if signed by the author, or interesting first editions in good condition. Very specialist antique books sometimes fall into this category.’
Before giving away your books, you might want to see if they are first editions or signed by the author. Some inscriptions might also add value, especially if they are dedication copies. And it’s not just literary works aimed at older readers – rare children’s books have been sold for thousands of dollars to collectors. In fact, the online marketplace AbeBooks sold a 1937 first edition of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien for US$65,000!
You might want to check out this video that discusses what makes an old book valuable:
Another comment on the post said: ‘If the books are clean and in decent condition, then might it be worth offering them to a local primary school? Either for their library/classrooms or for them to give away to children/parents, who might be glad to have them. This could be appreciated in the current difficult financial circumstances many schools and people are facing.’
In Australia, some organisations accept pre-loved books for use by communities in need. The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation provides books, both old and new, to Indigenous, refugee and marginalised communities. The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation also runs school book drives, but they are currently at capacity, so you might want to check back in the future.
Vinnies and Salvos also welcome used books, and Street Library has drop-off points across the country. You can search for more organisations accepting donations here.
If you can’t find any charities or stores that will accept your books, you can always choose to recycle (understandably, this is the last resort for many of us). However, you’ll need to do a few more steps than just putting them in the recycling bin. Many recyclers do not accept books because of the plastic covers and the adhesive used to bind the pages, so you might have to tear the book (Oh no! Sacrilege!). However, it is recommended to throw books with brown or water-damaged pages straight into the general waste bin. If you are unsure, you can always talk to your local council for advice.
Do you have any books you don’t want to let go of? Let us know in the comments!
