I recently was visiting at a school and the library was getting "remodeled"; cans of fresh paint and new blinds for the windows were on hand, ready to be utilized. I was shocked to find out however that all the "old" books had to go to make room for a whole new library of materials. Would the books be sold, given away to the students of the school, donated to Goodwill or some other deserving entity? NO, to my horror, the books were loaded into wheelbarrows and shopping carts then hauled away to the dumpster. The TRASH.... I am not lying when I say that it made me sick to my stomach.................. for two days in a row, after hearing of the planned fate of the books, I scanned the shelves for titles that would come home with me. I really wanted to offer to take ALL the books and donate them but it would take a week or more of multiple trips in my car for at least two weeks before the shelves would be clear. I thought of calling libraries, shelters, other schools who might be interested but alas, it was NOT my business; I had no authority to offer a solution other than the one already agreed upon. Some of the materials were outdated and really only good for recycling the paper from which they were made - these titles included computer software and programs no longer used and books on the world's "current" policy. How many others could have benefitted from a book is hard to tell - something to passs the time while waiting for the doctor or dentist, something to bring distraction to a parent applying for help, a little something special to ease a child anxiety, etc; For now, a few of the lucky ones will go home with me and find a special niche in my living room. There they will be appreciated and treasured, read over and over again, some for the "little" people but most for the adults..... okay, mostly for ME :)
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