We're delighted to share with you our latest blog in our series, Library Lifeline blog series, written in partnership with the School Library Association. This series is designed to support anyone working in a school library by answering their questions.
If you have a question that you’d like to ask our ‘agony aunt’ – the SLA’s Member Development Librarian, Dawn Woods – then please email us worldofstories@literacytrust.org.uk and your question may be the focus of a future blog!
Maintaining a well-stocked library can be costly, so when the opportunity presents itself to acquire titles that are used and at a fraction of the original cost, is it suitable for the library?
I know that to have an appealing library collection it is essential to have contemporary and diverse books in good condition, but we have a strict book-buying budget and some parents have asked if they can donate their children’s books. Should I accept or decline the offer?
Primary school librarian
How to decide if you should accept a donation of second-hand books
You may have seen people posting images on social media of the book haul they have picked up from their local charity shop and wondered if that was wise. You may have offers from parents to donate their elder children’s books they have ‘grown out of’.
You may think if someone is disposing of books from any collection, they are not worth having in the school library. However, before you pass up the opportunity, apply your stock policy to these donations or bargains. The following questions can be useful to ask:
- Would you buy that title if there were funds available?
- Does it fit with what you need in school?
- Will it be read?
If the answer to these questions is yes and the book is in good condition, even if not perfect, then second-hand is perfectly acceptable to save your school money and allow you to engage in environmentally-conscious practices.
Why can it be a good idea to accept second-hand books in your school library?
Many people do like to donate their used books which they or their children have read and won’t read again. These books are quite often only lightly used so the condition is invariably, good.
Remember though, it’s only a bargain if you need it.
This applies equally to books as it would to a piece of furniture or clothing.
Sometimes you may be lucky enough to have a book donation which you wouldn’t purchase simply because it costs over the threshold you deem reasonable yet is a beautiful book to have in the library. In cases such as this, do create a space for this copy on your library shelves; it’s sure to be a hit.
What makes a second-hand title unacceptable?
The second-hand books we recommend you do not accept are the ten-year-old (or older) books adults no longer want in their homes and by donating think they are doing schools a favour.
It may still be current but aimed at an older age group than your school. If so, ask the donor to pass it on to the local high school.
Of course, it doesn’t matter how recent the publication date or target readership, if a book is looking tatty or too dog-eared, take a hard pass. In this case it simply needs to be added to the skip or repurposed for craft materials, and someone just couldn’t make that decision themselves.
It can feel wasteful to throw away books but sometimes it’s necessary!
Things to consider when you are assessing a donation of used books
If you are considering accepting donations of used books, be very clear with the school community about what condition the stock needs to be in to be accepted.
Explain the requirements of your library
You may need to explain that a library collection needs to be consistently weeded and culled, and that contemporary books that are in good condition is known to be more appealing to children and thus more likely to encourage them to read for enjoyment.
Run it by a tough critic
You could appoint a board of pupil librarians to sift through donations and provide their ‘professional opinion’ as readers and library users. Ask them to be brutally honest, would they pick up this book in the library?
Remember your library's buying strategy
The danger comes when you are reliant on donations or bargain buys, as this means you are unable to purchase meaningfully and plug specific gaps in your library’s catalogue.
Your budget shows commitment
Ideally you should have an annual allocation from the school budget to cover library expenditure as this shows commitment to the library. You can even have stipulations built into your contract with your book supplier which requires them to supply a representative array of books so your library is diverse, inclusive and rich with choice.
You are creating a library to encourage reading for pleasure
Reading, and more specifically reading for enjoyment in your library, is not an indulgence but an absolute must in the school setting. It supports children to thrive and acquire the skills that will equip them with better future chances.
This means that whether your books are second-hand or brand new, the repertoire of books available needs to be wide-ranging, represent your pupils, and serve their tastes and interests.
Maintain a balance
In order to have a well-stocked, appealing library, try and maintain a sensible balance between new and second-hand books. This will also help you to support your pupils to develop a love of reading for enjoyment in your library space.
The National Literacy Trust’s work with ABC Book Club
There are organisations that support schools to acquire used books free of charge which are still in excellent condition and have brilliant content too.
The National Literacy Trust work with ABC Book Club to provide additional support for Libraries for Primaries campaign schools. ABC Book Club is a charity based in South London that takes donations of high-quality, pre-loved children's books from members of the public and re-donates them to primary school libraries.
The team at ABC carefully inspects every book they receive to ensure that each one is in brilliant condition, has appropriate content and is suitable for children aged 3 to 11.
The organisation uses a content criteria which weeds out titles based on factors such as inappropriate themes, factual inaccuracies and attitudes or wording considered unacceptable in today’s society.
You can find out more about ABC Book Club and the fascinating life cycle of the books that come through their doors.
Organisations who can help:
There are other wonderful organisations that also provide book donations to schools. You may wish to explore their offer to see how they can support your primary school library stock:
British Book Rescue Team
If you are within 50 miles from Bath, BA3 4BH or London they will match books donated to them to your school needs
The Children’s Book Project
A London charity which receives donated books and sorts them for re-distributing.
The Children’s Book Project is setting up regional hubs in Oxford, Birmingham and Leeds to expand on its successful work in London.
Give a Book
Provides schools with copies of new books, and occasionally used books in new condition
Wood Street Mission
This organisation distributes new books that have been donated to them to children in Manchester and Salford
Additional ways to successfully expand your library collection
Wish lists
There is no obligation to accept second-hand stock that is unsuitable, however one option is to sell it in a sale and use the money to purchase what you need.
When children leave school or in lieu of sweets on child’s birthday consider setting up a wish list so you acquire what you need:
- Wish list Peters
- Book Fundraiser Best Books for Schools
- Wish list: amazon
Giveaways on X/Twitter
@Biggreenbooks Regularly giveaway books
@BookBuddyUK Regularly giveaway books
The School Library Association member giveaways happen monthly, via our supportive publisher colleagues
Local bookshops
Your local bookshop is also a brilliant source to keep up to date with the most popular and recent releases. Sign up to their social media channels and cultivate a positive relationship with your local independent bookshop and they will keep you in the know about special offers.