ANN ARBOR – The community service program, Give My Books, which has been repurposing books since 2008, aims to collect 50,000 books to be given away for free to individuals and teachers in the community this year. Books that have been generously contributed by individuals looking to free up space in their homes and contribute to this effort.
Give My Books was founded by Todd Whalen, who operates the family-owned business out of his Ann Arbor home. Give My Books provides free pickup of given books from people’s homes and then distributes them to the community through Whalen’s JLC Book Sale. Last year, JLC Book Sale gave away 30,000 free books to schools and other organizations through its website – JLCBooksale.com – and annual Summer Book Sales events. With the expanded pick-up area, Whalen hopes to exceed that amount.
To help meet the goal of giving away 50,000 books, Give My Books is expanding its pick-up area to now include all of Washtenaw County and parts of Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and Monroe counties. Those who wish to contribute books can fill out a Pick-Up Request Form at GiveMyBooks.com. The website also offers bibliophiles the opportunity to register monthly for a chance to win 10 free books that can either be shipped to their home or redeemed at a scheduled pick-up date and time.
“Nobody likes throwing away books. That’s why my family and I wanted to make it easy for people who aren’t using their books to give them away and clear some space,” said Whalen. “We love keeping good books flowing through the community and people love discovering new books. We hope that expanding our pick up area will help give more people access to good books at a low cost, or more importantly, free.”
JLC Book Sale will be holding four Summer Book Sale events, each taking place from
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 2091 Stratton Ct. in Ann Arbor on the following dates:
- Wednesday, May 18 through Saturday, May 21
- Wednesday, June 22 through Saturday, June 25
- Wednesday, July 20 through Saturday, July 23
- Wednesday, Aug. 24 through Saturday, Aug. 27
In addition to books, Give My Books collects and sells DVDs, audiobooks, video games, puzzles and board games. Books are also available for $1 at the summer event.
About Give My Books
Founded in 2008, Give My Books is a free, family-run, community service that collects books and gives them away for free or sells them at a low cost back to the community. Those looking to give away their books can arrange to have them picked up at their house by Give My Books. Give My Books will pick up books from homes and organizations in all of Washtenaw County and parts of Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and Monroe counties. For more information, visit GiveMyBooks.com.
