Book Drives for BookSmiles |
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Book drives are an integral part of our mission. Without the support of individuals, groups, schools and businesses, we could not provide the books to the children we serve! Click on our 'Book Drive Guide' for more info and printable signage.
Who can hold a book drive?
ANYONE! We have had children run their own successful book drives resulting in donations of 1,000 or more books. Organizations also hold successful book drives for BookSmiles. And, of course, area schools continue to harvest thousands of children's book each month. Consider holding a book drive in your neighborhood over the summer! Sell lemonade and donate the proceeds to BookSmiles! Lots of ways children can participate in philanthropy!
What do I need to hold a book drive?
You will need a collection container and a sign. A plastic storage tote, or several large boxes can do the trick. BookSmiles can offer the use of one of their signature art bins for high traffic collection sites, if one is available. Contact us and let's create a plan together!
What types of books does BookSmiles accept?
We accept new and gently used children's books. Please, no weeded library books/library discards.
How long should I hold the book drive?
Most book drives are held for about a month in order to give folks time to learn about the event, then to collect books in their home. We also have permanent donation stations located at high traffic areas that continue to collect hundreds books each month.
How do I promote my book drive?
We have created some generic signs that can be printed out and used on your social media pages. See the Book Drive Guide!
If you have specific needs or ideas, our program coordinator will work with you and help create marketing materials. Fill out the form on our Contact Us page to get started!
What do I do once the drive is over?
After your drive has ended, we ask that you pack up the books in bags or cardboard boxes that are not too heavy and deliver them to our facility during open hours or by appointment with Janet@booksmiles.org to the NEW BookSmiles Book Bank located at 7300 N. Crescent Blvd, Unit 10, Pennsauken. We will dispatch our box truck to pick up South Jersey and Philadelphia-area drives that collect over 3,000 books. Please contact us before you start your book drive to arrange this.
Who can hold a book drive?
ANYONE! We have had children run their own successful book drives resulting in donations of 1,000 or more books. Organizations also hold successful book drives for BookSmiles. And, of course, area schools continue to harvest thousands of children's book each month. Consider holding a book drive in your neighborhood over the summer! Sell lemonade and donate the proceeds to BookSmiles! Lots of ways children can participate in philanthropy!
What do I need to hold a book drive?
You will need a collection container and a sign. A plastic storage tote, or several large boxes can do the trick. BookSmiles can offer the use of one of their signature art bins for high traffic collection sites, if one is available. Contact us and let's create a plan together!
What types of books does BookSmiles accept?
We accept new and gently used children's books. Please, no weeded library books/library discards.
- Ages infant through high school.
- Fiction and Non-fiction (please, no encyclopedia, reference books, or religiously themed books)
- Donate children's books that you would be proud to give to a child.
- Please, no old books that smell musty, have been scribbled in, or that have yellowed over time and no torn covers/pages. We steer clear of marked classroom sets, Rigby readers, weeded library books, and retired teacher discards.
How long should I hold the book drive?
Most book drives are held for about a month in order to give folks time to learn about the event, then to collect books in their home. We also have permanent donation stations located at high traffic areas that continue to collect hundreds books each month.
How do I promote my book drive?
We have created some generic signs that can be printed out and used on your social media pages. See the Book Drive Guide!
If you have specific needs or ideas, our program coordinator will work with you and help create marketing materials. Fill out the form on our Contact Us page to get started!
What do I do once the drive is over?
After your drive has ended, we ask that you pack up the books in bags or cardboard boxes that are not too heavy and deliver them to our facility during open hours or by appointment with Janet@booksmiles.org to the NEW BookSmiles Book Bank located at 7300 N. Crescent Blvd, Unit 10, Pennsauken. We will dispatch our box truck to pick up South Jersey and Philadelphia-area drives that collect over 3,000 books. Please contact us before you start your book drive to arrange this.
Aaron collected 1,350 children's books during his month long book drive in January 2020!