New Blog Dedicated to Collection and Development

Posted by admin on 01.08.2008 at 12:24 pm

This just in: Steven Harris, a Collection Development and Management Librarian at Utah State University, has created a new blog committed to…well, Collection and Development!

Collections 2.0.‘s main focus is to show “that library collections and collection development are still important in the networked environment, and [in] developing collections that mesh with Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 concepts to create the interactive and customizable library.”

Show your support and check out Steven’s new blog today!

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, book drive, library

Better World Books Becomes a Member of GRC

Posted by admin on 12.21.2007 at 12:35 pm

The Library Division is proud to announce that Better World Books is now a member of the Georgia Recycling Coalition! The mission of the GRC is to compliment and coordinate activities relative to recycling, to foster communication amongst professionals, organizations, government agencies and individuals and to promote and enhance waste reduction and recycling programs throughout the state.

We believe that the new relationship with the GRC will further enable BWB to connect with those who are as committed as we are to making a positive environmental impact.

Have your say » | Tagged Our Partners, book drive, library, Our Partners

Travel = Food

Posted by admin on 11.19.2007 at 11:47 am

As Walter recently mentioned, the Library Team was in Charleston from November 7-10.  It was my first time in the city and also my first time to the Charleston Conference.  I had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather and it was great meeting everyone there.

One of the things I most enjoy when going to a new city is the food!  During the GALA Reception on Thursday night, we were presented with barbeque, boiled shrimp, steamed shrimp, and a plethora of other goodies.  Although I’m not a big fan of oysters, it was a lot of fun standing around shucking and enjoying everyone’s company.

Pictured: Jacob Fu, Walter Sears, Dustin Holland, Christian Blue

Another great place we stopped in for brunch was Jestine’s Kitchen.  It was a great local place that had a line waiting to get in before it even opened.  The meatloaf and sweet tea were amazing!

I definitely look forward to going back next year.  Let me know if you have any suggestions on places I need to try.

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, conferences, library

The Weather Is Beautiful, Wish You Were Here

Posted by admin on 11.09.2007 at 11:27 am

I am lucky enough to be attending the 27th Annual Charleston Conference enjoying some of the best weather that the southeastern United States has to offer in November.  We have spent two days honing our acquisitions skills learning about weeding processes, approval plans and, most interestingly, RFID (IMO).

Thanks to Corrie Marsh, Associate University Librarian at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, I learned that they are using RFID to indicate low tire tread, keep track of students and school buses, even pay for cover charges and drinks at bars in Barcelona & Miami.  That’s right, a bar owner in Barcelona has added an RFID reader that can charge your account for cover charges and drinks through an RFID tag surgically imbedded under your skin!  Check it out here www.txcdk.org/rfid.  To take it a step further, China is planning to issue over 10 million RFID identification cards to individuals and 3 million RFID readers to the police to assist in crime prevention.

Is RFID going too far?

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, conferences, library

Recyclers and the Library Division

Posted by admin on 07.30.2007 at 6:34 am

The Library Team is looking for new ways to partner with recyclers to re-use a portion of the books they receive.  We’re big believers in finding a home for every book we can.

We recently joined the National Recycling Coalition as part of our continued effort to be green.  We attended the 2007 Indiana Recycling Coalition state affiliate conference in Bloomington IN and it was great meeting so many other people as passionate about re-using and recycling as we are.

One of the organizations we met publishes newsletters for county recyclers.  Trash Talk loved the Better World Books story and published an article about us that reached 1.5 million people!

Have your say » | Tagged Dispatches from the Green House, Impact, environmental impact, indiana, library, recycling

BWB’s New Office Space in Atlanta!

Posted by admin on 07.16.2007 at 8:43 am

It is truly an exciting time to be involved with Better World Books.  When you consider BetterWorld.com, the affiliate program, and the addition of some incredible new staff members; it is difficult to be subdued.

As I write, we are transitioning into our new office space to allow for our imminent expansion.  When I began here in Atlanta (only 5 months ago), we were five.  We have grown in to 10 down here in Atlanta and have our sights set on the future.

It is my hope that between this space and the well-oiled machine that is our Mishawaka warehouse, we will be the cutting edge company that our corporate friends will model themselves after and follow our lead into creating social profit.

Do you want to send us mail?  Address your letter/Library Sign Up Form to:

Better World Books
1105 Lakewood Parkway, Ste 205
Alpharetta, GA 30004

Note: Please do not send books to this address.

5 Comments » | Tagged Uncategorized, Atlanta, library, office

The Library Team Goes to D.C.

Posted by admin on 07.02.2007 at 12:33 pm

The Better World Books Library Team traveled up to Washington D.C. on June 22 for the Annual ALA Conference. It was a great chance for us to meet our current clients and also share about our Library Discards & Donations Program to those who were unfamiliar with it.

We had a great time in the city when we did have some free time to spare. One evening, we had a great meal at Legal Sea Foods where the waitress actually recognized our company from the logo on our shirts!

Back at the show, we had the opportunity to introduce a number of our new program features. These and also answers to some of the most common questions asked are listed in the posting below.

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by our booth!  We hope to see you all soon!

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, ALA, conferences, library

An Afternoon to Remember

Posted by admin on 06.18.2007 at 8:07 am

Last Tuesday, I attended a meeting with a group of public library administrators to discuss Better World Books’ Library Discards & Donations Program. We enjoyed boxed lunches from Heavenly Ham, and spent the afternoon discussing this simple, yet effective solution to managing surplus gift books and weeded material. Popular topics included:

Acceptable Material Guidelines – Types of material accepted by Better World Books

BetterWorld.com Online Sidewalk Sale – Browse inventory by zip code and library name on BetterWorld.com

BetterWorld.com Affiliate Program – earn 5%-8% on purchases from BetterWorld.com

Thanks again to our host for organizing this wonderful event.

Better World Books is exhibiting at the upcoming ALA Conference in D.C. Stop by booth #1405 for a chance to win an iPod.

Safe Travels!!

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, ALA, American Library Association, library, Walter

1st Quarterly Library Newsletter!

Posted by admin on 09.13.2006 at 7:16 am

The Better World Books Library Team sent out the very first Quarterly Newsletter in early September!  Over 900 librarians across the U.S. received the Fall 2006 version.  If you would like to learn more about the Better World Books Library Discards & Donations Program, make sure you sign-up for our newsletter today!

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, library, newsletter

Rebuilding NOPL

Posted by admin on 08.11.2006 at 11:28 am

During the 2006 American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans, volunteers worked to sort and pack books donated to New Orleans Public Library from around the country.  These books were then shipped to our warehouse and are being sold online to help Rebuild NOPL.

Here’s an excerpt from an article in ALA’s American Libraries Online…

Better World Books Takes on the Sort
During the volunteer days, workers at the Algiers Regional Branch sorted through thousand of books that have been donated to New Orleans Public Library from across the country for addition to the library’s collection, distribution to local community groups, and resale. In an effort to alleviate the large quantities of donations NOPL has received since Hurricane Katrina, over 60 ALA volunteers spent two eight-hour days sorting and packing books at the Algiers branch.

Although the building did not flood, it suffered major roof damage. As a result, wind-driven rain entered the building, ruining its contents. The gutted branch is currently being used as a holding and sorting space for the thousands of book donations sent to NOPL from around the world. Of the estimated 500,000 books, almost 25,000 books were sorted, packed, and shipped to Better World Books, which will process and sell the books in over 14 online marketplaces, returning a percentage of the proceeds to NOPL. As of March 31, Better World Books had donated $4,923 to NOPL, generated from other donations that were redirected and listed for sale. In lieu of further book donations, potential donors are being asked to participate in ALA’s Adopt-a-Library program. See www.ala.org/katrina for for information.

Full Text

Have your say » | Tagged Impact, Uncategorized, Impact, katrina, library, New Orleans Public Library