Community Agency Book Assistance Program
Introduction
Fresno County Public Library's 37 branch libraries have a finite amount of space for collections, making withdrawal of older items essential to provide room for more current materials. While maintaining strong collections, books are carefully withdrawn with consideration given to their condition, the number of copies in the Library system, levels of usage, whether the information in them has become outdated and other factors.
Withdrawn Materials
Typically withdrawn Library books, which are the property of the County of Fresno, may be sold only by the Library to an approved vendor (see below for more information). As a matter of policy, prior to selling withdrawn books, the Library offers these materials to eligible agencies within Fresno County, for the benefit and betterment of the community and the public good, thereby giving library materials a "second life."
Community agencies including government institutions may apply to the Library to receive withdrawn books for distribution through community programs.
Who is Eligible?
Only agencies located within Fresno County may participate in this program. Community agencies that receive donations of books must use these materials for the public benefit. They must be given away at no charge and may not be sold.
Examples of eligible agencies include:
- Schools (including teachers and librarians)
- Senior centers
- Hospitals
- Jails and prisons
- Licensed Daycare centers and providers
- Libraries
- Community not-for-profit agencies registered with 501c3 tax exempt status
- Social service agencies
Distribution Priorities
Availability of withdrawn materials is "first come, first served," quantities are limited, and there is no guarantee that a request can be fulfilled. Specific categories of books may not be available at a given time or at certain times of the year.
How to Apply
Write or e-mail the Library at the address below including the following two items (scanned copies are acceptable):
- Write and sign a letter on your community agency's letterhead and include the following information:
- How your agency will use the books for the public benefit.
- What categories of books you would like and how many you can use.
- Your contact name, phone number, and email address.
- Include a copy of the IRS letter establishing your 501(c)3 tax exempt status if you are a local community agency or a copy of your County License if you are a daycare center or provider.
Agencies will be expected to renew their requests every three years.
What is Available?
- Popular and classic fiction.
- Nonfiction in all subject areas - art, history, business, travel, etc.
- Encyclopedias and dictionaries.
- World language books.
- Children’s picture books
- Children’s books in all genres and subject areas (in English and other languages).
Requests are filled according to categories only and not by specific titles.
Selection and Delivery of Materials
Books will be preselected and boxed by Library staff for each agency from available stock on the basis of written/emailed requests. Once notified, recipients must pick up materials directly from the Library within three business days. Pickup times will be scheduled by appointment only. The Library will not ship books to agencies.
Questions
Telephone: 559-600-6275
Email: cabk@fresnolibrary.org
Fresno County Public Library
ATTN: Community Agency Book Assistance Program
2420 Mariposa Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Better World Books
The Library's withdrawn books are sold through Better World Books (BWB). At no charge to the Library, BWB picks up withdrawn books from the Library, then sorts, prices and markets the books on over 50 online sale sites. A percentage of the sales is returned to the Library and unsold items are either distributed to support literacy programs or they are recycled. For more information on how Better World Books supports the library, click here: Support the Library.
Rev. 7-26-2017
