MISSION:

To promote literacy and education in the U.S. and around the world by creatively recycling surplus books.

HOW IT WORKS:

Donate your books to help those without. In the U.S., surplus books often end up in a dumpster. In many poor countries, however, libraries and schools are undersupplied with books. The UUAC is working with the non-profit organization Hands Across the Water to help them in their mission to collect used, unwanted books and ship them to needy schools, libraries, and other community-based non-profit organizations around the globe. Hands Across the Water provides a book collection container, picks up the books, and distributes them. All we need to do is keep filling up the container!

UU PRINCIPLES:

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire 1997 General Resolution ­ Reduce the waste of resources in our homes, congregations, and communities by recycling, using recycled products, and reducing consumption. Various UUA resolutions on civil rights, youth in crisis, discrimination against women, economic globalization, and criminal justice and prison reform include literacy as a measurement of progress or as a means to achieve goals.

PARTICIPATION:

The UUAC encourages its members, friends, and people in local communities to donate used books to support this program.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE:

The bright blue book collection container is located along the white fence in the back of the north parking lot of the church. The container is open to the public and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GUIDELINES

Hands Across the Water accepts almost every type and style of book in functional condition:

General reading books
Paperbacks
Hardcover books
Fiction
Non-fiction
Childrenšs books
Textbooks
Books on tape

Please note they cannot accept:

Magazines
Books with mold or mildew
Books with missing covers or pages
Merchandise catalogs
Telephone directories
Encyclopedia sets

The container looks like a library book return, with a drop slot through which books can be inserted one-by-one. Please do not leave boxes or bags of books near the container.

BENEFITS:

Your "previously loved" books will help combat illiteracy around the world, while also eliminating waste here in our communities. This program is a way to make a difference both for the environment and for global literacy and education.

CONTACTS:

Lisa Palmer: lapalmer@comcast.net
UUAC church office: 508-655-1422
Hands Across the Water: www.surplusbooksforcharity.org