Not so long ago, I found myself grumbling about how us authors and readers had to “save” books on Goodreads before they were lost in the website’s system. It’s sometimes easy to feel like an insignificant blip dealing with a faceless, unapproachable mega entity. But more recently while I was surfing around the website, I found something about Goodreads that made me smile. I discovered one way Goodreads is helping to encourage reading all over the world.
Check out the Do Good with Goodreads page. From this section of its website, Goodreads features different charitable foundations dedicated to supporting education and literacy each month.
Currently, a list of 30 charities are listed on Goodreads. The charities vary in scope from international to local. From the International Book Project that sends 200,000 books each year to South America, Asia and Africa to World Book Night where selected volunteers hand out 20 paperbacks to local readers – there’s an array of charities listed!
Here’s the one that stood out to me: the African Library Project. Did you know for just $500 for shipping with 1,000 gently used books, you can start a library in rural Africa through the charity? Goodreads provides links to how to get involved with each charity, connecting Goodreads users to the charitys’ webpages.
The link to the Do Good with Goodreads page is found off the Goodreads Voice page, which offers lots of fun features – links to author interviews (in written and video formats), book suggestions by well-known authors, and more. Once you’re logged on to Goodreads, go to the Explore tab on the top menu bar and click the Goodreads Voice link.
It’s Your turn, WG2E-Land: What are your fave reading-related charities? And what kinds of things are you doing to spread the love of reading around the world?
The Best of WG2E Goodreads Guru Wishes — Tamara Ward
Thanks for highlighting this! Great projects and causes
Thanks, Elle!
Hi Tamara,
I also support the Africa Library Project and featured it on my blog during last September’s International Literacy Day here:
http://kirutayewrites.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/international-literacy-day.html
I think there are loads of positives about Goodreads.
Cheers,
Kiru
Good post on your blog, Kiru. I can’t imagine not being able to read.
I just luuuvvv this link, Tamara, and wow am I sooo tickled you found it and shared it with us!
I’m in the process now of figuring out what to do with the 37 boxes (that’s the actual number) of paper books now in my basement. I have five book cases in my house that are full, and the 37 boxes of books are just waiting for shelf-space.
But here’s the thing, I NEVER read paper books anymore! I just don’t want the hassle of lugging ‘em around. So, I’m givin’ ‘em all away! Some are going to local domestic abuse shelters. Now, you’ve given me terrific ideas what to do with the rest.
This is one way I’ll be promoting literacy. Also, my Ebook Gifting Program at RG2E is a way I’m spreading my love for all-things Ereading and helping readers discover authors new to them.
Thanks, D.D. You’re fantastic about spreading the joy of reading. And 37 boxes… wow! Sometimes I’ll donate used paperbacks to a charity thrift store that benefits people with Alzheimer’s. Other times, I’ll pass them to a friend or leave them at a free book exchange in a common area of a subdivision. My local Sisters in Crime exchanges books after every meeting, also. But, similar to you, I hardly ever read paper books any more.
I think I might have enough to start a Library in Africa! Yayyy!!!
That would be awesome!
Bring it on, D.D.! We’d love to hear from you. We do just send preschool-8th grade books because literacy tops out at 8th grade, even for teachers, in the rural areas where we work that have not previously had access to books. Do you have kids books?
I give lots of books to my local charity shop. Some I have kept for taking to writers’ meetings where there is normally a book raffle. I have some kept in my mum’s cupboard in her bedroom, which I plan to read then give to the charity shop. There are still lots I have read that can probably go to the local charity shop too.
Hi, Julie! My mom and I exchange paperbacks to read. But lately the trading is becoming more uneven, as I get most my books on my ereader, and she’s not at all interested in ereaders!
Great post, Tamara! I donate books locally to shelters, urban day care centers, for used book sales to benefit the library, and of course during things like the Katrina disaster when they lost so much. I didn’t know about this function of Goodreads. The list is truly awesome! And so important. Literacy is such an essential piece of the pie in building a better world.
Thanks, Alicia! I wholeheartedly agree.
A lovely post Tamara as it make us take a step back from our obsession with sales rank, sales, and royalties.
I donate used books to The Read It Again Bookstore – all the profits go to the literacy program in Sullivan County. I also go to the goody room at the close of a conference and pick up some extra bookmarks and such and they put it in the basket by the register for buyers.
That’s a fantastic idea, Liz, picking up extra goodies for the register of a charity bookstore! And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with checking out and celebrating our own stats… within reason, of course!
Great info, Tamara! I had no idea about this section on Goodreads. I’ve donated tons of books to my local library. I also donate books, especially any I have in large print, to local nursing homes. I think people forget about the elderly too often and I hope people remember I love to read when I’m old.
Nathan Fillion is co-founder of the KIDS NEED TO READ organization. http://www.kidsneedtoread.org/ I think it’s a great charity.
Thanks, Rhonda. You know, by the time we’re old, we’ll all have ereaders embedded in our eyes and we’ll be able to “think” the type as large as we like it.
Great stuff, Tamara.
Thank you for highlighting this section on Goodreads. I’m getting to grips with the site, thanks in no small part to you!
I donate books too. When I see a deal on audio books at my local library they go to a couple of local care homes where the elderly are blind or have limited eyesight. They love listening to audio books. The ladies love a good romance.
There’s nothing like a good romance, CC! And I’m glad to hear that never changes. Thanks.
Tamara- I am a huge fan of donating my stuff and my kids stuff too. I often have heard form one of my four kids, “I am missing (insert clothes item or toy item outgrown or not used) I bet mom donated it to goodwill or the humane society” And they are right. It feels good to have items reused via a charity- that are still in good shape.
I’m with you there, Lois! I never throw any of my kids’ used clothes away unless they’re completely ruined. If I can’t sell them, I donate the clothes, also.
Love donating to worthy causes, and I can NEVER bear to toss a book! I didn’t know the program existed, so thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Lauren Clark
Hi, Lauren! I can’t imagine tossing a book, either! Thanks!
Hi Tamara,
I’m so glad you like our Do Good with Goodreads program. We started it nearly 3 years ago and so far have featured 28 charities in our monthly newsletters. Just recently, we received an inspiring email from The African Library Project about how Goodreads members responded to hearing about them, and I thought you might like it as it’s a project that struck a chord with you. Also, just wanted to add big thank you (to you and your readers) who are all helping to support and spread the love of reading!”
Cheers,
Elizabeth
p.s. Now I need to check out kidsneedtoread.com as well!
Wow! That’s fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, Tamara – Thanks for the shout out about the African Library Project. We’ve had many awesome goodreads fans volunteer to organize book drives of gently-used children’s books…a testament to their heart, drive and love of reading. They would not have known about us without people like you writing about us…a testament to the power of the pen (or keyboard:).
Chris
Founder/President
African Library Project
Thanks, Chris! Glad I can help spread the word about this worthy project. Best wishes going forward!