Most of us learned about the significance of April 23rd back in high school (the Bard’s birthday), but now there’s another reason to celebrate. April 23, 2012 is the first US World Book Night, when publishers will donate and volunteers will distribute free books to anyone who wants them. Want to be a part of it? Sign up as a volunteer on their site before February 1.
World Book Night premiers this year in the US. Bookstores & libraries will be distribution points. Did you sign up? What book do you want to distribute? I did (for Poisonwood Bible). Here are the book options, thirty in all.
Used bookstores can’t participate in the WBN
When World Book Night (WBN) was extended to the US, I was very excited. I am a reading teacher of adults AND bookseller of several years. I wanted to be a part of the celebration because I promote reading on a daily basis.
HOWEVER, after waiting for several weeks to notified if our bookstore was selected as a collection point, I sent an email to the WBN people asking why we had not been contacted one way or the other. Yesterday, I finally received word in an email our bookstore was disqualified because it is a USED bookstore! However, the man who sent the email did apologize for his lack of communication.
In quoting the World Book Night website, the concept of “spreading the love of reading, person to person”, one would think the people involved would also welcome USED bookstores. USED bookstores promote reading just as any library or NEW bookstore would.
In addition, on the application form, NOTHING was said that used bookstores were NOT acceptable as collection points!
The idea that USED bookstores are disqualified while new bookstores selling only children’s books can qualify to distribute NON-children’s books seems to be a big disconnect with the concept of “spreading the love of reading, person to person. Also, WBN has accepted USED bookstores who do not have “USED” in their name!
I am very saddened that the people at WBN could decide to disqualify ANY USED bookstore just on the fact that most of the books are not NEW.
Finally, our USED bookstore donates a number of books on a regular basis to groups and individuals, and we don’t need to have a “World Book Night” to do so.
Not right
Sorry to hear that used bookstores cannot be collection points for WBN books. I don’t really understand why; maybe you should write to Executive Director Carl Lennertz ([email protected]) and point out the reality of the fact that with so few bookstores remaining, used bookstores SHOULD be included as pick-up points in future years.
If your store were near me, I’d gladly pick up my books there.
Robin/birdie