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ASK US: What should I do with old hardback books I don't want?

Mike Hollis, The Huntsville Times By Mike Hollis, The Huntsville Times
on June 18, 2012 at 7:38 AM, updated June 18, 2012 at 8:35 AM

Q: I have quite a collection of bound books that are of no further use to me. What is

FRIENDSOFLIBRARY.JPGDonated books at the Friends of the Library store at the Huntsville Public Library

the preferred protocol for disposing of unwanted or obsolete reference volumes, text books, hardback non-fiction books or novels and the like? It would seem that, with the trend away from printed publications and toward electronic reading media, that this is to become an increasingly common problem.

A: Dixie Bray, environmental awareness officer for Huntsville's Solid Waste Disposal Authority, says paperback books can be put into your curbside recycling bin but hardback books cannot. If you pull or cut the paper pages out of the hardbacks, the paper pages are acceptable in the bin.

She pointed to other options on unwanted hardback books: Have you contacted the local used book stores, the public library system, area Senior Centers or local charities? They might welcome these books for reuse or re-sale. If these options do not work, the books can be put into your green garbage can for disposal, she said. Please remember that the weight limit in the green can is 40 to 50 pounds, approximately, and books can be very heavy.

The Friends of the Library program at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library accepts donations of hard-bound books for resale to the public. Proceeds benefit the library.

The Friends Bookstore accepts books, magazines (preferably no more than three months old or vintage), CDs, DVDs and more. Items not sold in the bookstore are recycled or donated.

The bookstore is located on the first floor of the main library at 915 Monroe St. just inside the entrance. The days and hours are Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 12 to 6 p.m.; Friday, 12 to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By the way, the Friends of the Library will hold a Blooming Book Sale on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library. All books will be 50 percent off, but the sale is only for members. If you'd like to join, stop by the bookstore or call it at 256-532-5986 for more information.

 

Got a question? Submit it to askus@htimes.com. Include your name, hometown and phone number.
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