[Bookstoprisoners] just an idea . . .

[Jay Schubert]

Jacqueline,

What an interesting idea and solution to this issue!  I'm not at all
surprised to hear that people pull books out of the collection bins (I
personally also pull the occasional book from the shelves of our packing
facility) and that they feel like they'd like to be able to contribute
financially when they do.  We enjoy the fortunate position of having no
particular shortage of books but do have a constant need for funds to ship
them out.  In this way, this idea sounds great.

My only concern would be that, as much as it sometimes may not look to be
the case, we really try to empty the bins as often as possible and I'd hate
to give any impression that we're selling books (or offering them in
exchange for donations) out of the space that these businesses graciously
offer to be used to facilitate donations.

I'd say that if you keep it as simple as you mention in your email (not
implying that we're encouraging people to shop the bins), it would be great!

As far as where to send and how to address the checks when people send in
the card, perhaps Sandra can tell us.  She mentioned to me the other day
that some of our donation info on the web site may be out of date as our
financial arrangement with the IMC has changed recently.  Sandra, can you
comment?

Thanks,
Jay



On 5/30/07, Jacqueline Hannah <jzwhannah at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I am a lurker, I use to be involved in packing parties years ago now and I
> am hoping to get involved again soon.  Just wanted to share an insight -
>
> I use to work at Strawberry Fields and now work at Common Ground Food
> Co-op.  Both of these stores are drop off sites for BTP.  I can tell you
> from working at both that people "shop" the drop off bins.  Many feel guilty
> about it, but everyone does it.  What I have heard over and over, though, is
> that folks wish there were a donation envelope they could pick up or
> something to send BTP some money for the books they pick up.  Of course, you
> probably don't want to encourage the book "shopping" at the drop off bins,
> but if there were just a little envelope on the side of each drop off box
> with pre-addressed envelopes and simple donation cards (photocopied, cheap)
> inside it might encourage more donations both from the shoppers and the
> grateful book donators (of which I am often one) who appreciate somewhere to
> take these books so they don't go to landfills.
>
> If the sounded like something BTP would like to pursue and the help was
> needed, I would be happy to design a basic donation reply form to fit into
> standard envelopes and get them copied and cut.  If this doesn't sound like
> it would work for BTP or isn't something practical to impliment at this
> time, that's fine too.  Just thought I'd share what I had been hearing from
> dozens of community members.
>
> - Jacqueline Hannah
>
>
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>
>


-- 
Jay
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