–Better World Books makes $10,000 donation to Texas Library Association’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide assistance to libraries damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Harvey

Mishawaka, Indiana U.S.A. (5 October 2017)—Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Library Association’s (TLA) Disaster Relief Fund began accepting donations specifically to provide grants and relief aid to libraries located in the disaster area.  In support of TLA and libraries in Texas, Better World Books (BWB) is making a donation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to TLA’s Disaster Relief Fund.  

This funding is made possible by BWB’s General Literacy Fund and will help libraries dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  This aid will assist libraries recuperate, renovate and rebuild their libraries after being damaged or destroyed during this natural disaster.  

With this contribution, Better World Books continues its track record of giving to support libraries, literacy, and education initiatives in the aftermath of a natural disaster.  In 2012, following Hurricane Sandy, Better World Books and its library clients raised over $15,000 to support libraries impacted by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York.  To date, BWB has made grants totaling over $750,000 to libraries and non-profit organizations focused on supporting literacy and education initiatives in their communities.

Wendy Woodland, Director of Communications for TLA said, “The outpouring of support from the library community in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey is truly inspiring. Donations such as this will enable us to assist those impacted by the storm. The Texas library family is strong. Together we will support those libraries affected by this natural disaster.”  To learn more about TLA’s Disaster Relief Fund, please go http://www.txla.org/groups/DRC-funds.

Better World Books is pleased to help support libraries at this extremely challenging time.  Dustin Holland, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, commented, “When national disasters such as this occur, it is important that we come together and support the library community.  The entire Better World Books family—worldwide— extends our well wishes to all those in the United States and Caribbean recovering from the recent devastation imposed by the 2017 Hurricane season.  We thank our library clients for making this support possible.  We will continue to make book donations in these communities once it is operationally feasible to do so.”  In addition to the monetary donation, the BWB team has donated over 1,000 children’s books and toiletries to aid in recovery efforts in the Houston area.

By partnering with Better World Books, libraries find a cost-free, environmentally friendly outlet to relieve their shelves of surplus books. Instead of collecting dust in overstock rooms and storage facilities, the books are processed through the Better World Books distribution center, where employees determine whether each book is eligible for sale on www.betterworldbooks.com. For every book purchased on the site, a book is donated through the Company’s Book-for-Book™ program. In addition, a percentage of each book sold is donated to one of hundreds of literacy and education partners, such as Books for Africa, Room to Read, and the National Center for Families Learning, to fund their various literacy projects and educational endeavors. Any books that cannot be sold are donated or recycled–no books ever become landfill.

As of September 2017, Better World Books has donated over 24 million books, raised over $26 million in funding for literacy and libraries, and reused or recycled 285 million books.  To learn more about BWB Cares, visit http://www.Cares.BetterWorldBooks.com.  

About the TLA

The Texas Library Association (TLA) is the largest state library association in the U.S. Its 7,000+ members are employed in all types of libraries: academic, public, school, and special. TLA’s membership also includes library vendors and citizens who support libraries as trustees, members of Friends of the Library organizations, and library users. The Texas Library Association was established in 1902 to promote, support, and improve library services in Texas. TLA policy is set by a governing Council of elected leaders and is implemented by a board of directors (TLA Executive Board) and staff. Various membership committees and units – divisions, round tables, interest groups, and districts – carry out the work of the Association.

About Better World Books

Better World Books (http://www.BetterWorldBooks.com) is a for-profit social enterprise and a global e-retailer that collects and sells new and used books online matching each purchase with a book donation, Book-for-Book™.  Each sale generates funds for literacy and education initiatives in the US and around the world.  Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised more than $26 million for libraries and literacy, donated over 24 million books, and reused or recycled 285 million books.

Media Contact

Better World Books
Dustin Holland
O: 574.855.5205
[email protected]