Does anyone use old encyclopedias

Try boxing up your encyclopedias and dropping them off at a local used bookstore. The cover and spine contain non-paper materials that are considered contaminants in the paper recycling stream. Most libraries or other book reuse and resale organizations do not accept encyclopedias or text books. Always check with them beforehand. Parents can bring those books within reach, however, by seeking out a number of discount programs or by scouring second-hand bookstores for an older set of encyclopedias.

Here are some ideas of what to do with your set. Dear Recyclebank : I have a set of Britannica encyclopedias that is in very good shape. My problem is, I cannot find anybody who wants them, not even libraries, schools, or bookstores. Any ideas? Dear Debbie: In the age of Google and Wikipedia, reference books like encyclopedias and dictionaries have become less and less in demand.

And in our research we found that, indeed, many book-donation organizations, like the Prison Book Program , specify that they do not accept reference books like encyclopedia. To help you find a good home for your well-maintained reference books, we came up with a few other options for you to try:. Books for Africa collects new and gently used books to stock libraries and schools in Africa.

You can ship them or deliver them to their locations in Atlanta, GA. Paul, MN. Better World Books has drop-boxes across the country. The books that are donated are sold on their website, and the proceeds help fund literacy programs. Marge Polakiewicz. January 23, 0 found this helpful. January 28, 0 found this helpful. Question: Donating Old Encyclopedias?

December 9, August 10, 0 found this helpful. August 11, 0 found this helpful. August 18, 0 found this helpful. August 20, 0 found this helpful. Question: Uses for Large Print Encyclopedias? January 31, Sandra K N. February 1, 0 found this helpful. February 5, 0 found this helpful.

Question: Selling or Donating a Encyclopedia Americana? November 4, Jason W. July 27, 0 found this helpful. February 21, Read More Pin it! Was this helpful? Archives ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet.

January 23, Published by ThriftyFun. All Rights Reserved. For no discipline that I'm deeply concerned with would I turn to an EB of any date for information. You're seriously telling me that given a choice to refer to a EB or a CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics , a competent scientist or inventor of any stripe would prefer the first?

The Encyclopedia Britannica store offers as encyclopedias for adults the edition and a French encyclopedia; no 21st century Britannica to be seen. Hell, most of the freakin' public thinks that we should just close anyway Not to mention, old encyclopedias also have horribly, horribly wrong information in them more often than not as well.

Not because of 'censorship', but because we've learned in the last 70, 50, 30, or whatever years. I have a complete set of American encyclopaedias that are years old. They are in rough shape but still readable.

I received them from my father. What should I do with them? I think they are really interesting, however, my wife says to toss them. I suspect that, since you say the condition's rough, you'll discover that those books are not really worth anything. Encyclopedias, even from the late s, aren't to my knowledge in that class. Good look with your search. I love old books I have a LOT of them , but if you keep them, keep them because they were your father's if you have the room. Bad information isn't worth the paper it's printed on; indeed, whatever it is, it isn't really information.

Toss them. You might want to tear out pages with pretty pictures first. Use them on bulletin boards, perhaps. It's interesting to see what people considered valuable information at the time and how wrong or right it's become in the intervening years.

Is there an art class somewhere who could use them to produce some of the great book art that can be seen around the Internet. Looking at the links that Lyndatrue posted, I would suggest one of the aggregate sites that searches several databases at once. When searching, be specific enough but not too specific. A last name, title key words, and word from the publisher or year will usually zero in on the books you seek.

Always remember that the prices listed are copies that have not sold, often because of price. One interpretation is that these are the lowest prices at which the books won't sell.

The copies sold disappear and the sale information is not available as a price guide. If anyone is looking to get rid of a nice encyclopedia set I am looking for one. I have a child that is described as a genius; he literally loves to consume everything he can get his hands on; he values nestolgic perspectives, it helps him understand the times. There was a free book exchange box in Chicago on Chicago Ave. I think homeless people would use the paper for fire or possibly toilet paper, but after years of donating and seeing the most ridiculous titles in there, I'm still not sure where and why they all went so quickly.

If you are anywhere near where I live check my profile page , I do have a set of Britannica's from the 's I'd like to send to a good home. I've been trying to find someone who wants them for arts and crafts, but no takers at the moment.

Did you see this thread? Hello All, I have been thinking I should start a movement here and maybe a c on this idea. An option I don't see in this thread: When someone tries to drop off a complete encyclopedia set at your library, you could suggest that the patron call local schools and theater groups. Stage theaters use encyclopedias in backgrounds.

The books likely won't be read again, but they also might not be thrown away. Along with theaters, film sets and prop houses can use old books. I know a bookstore that has a collection of good looking old books that she loans out to film companies etc. From personal experience, if you don't mind books being destroyed, school or community centers with art programs can often use old books, especially if they have pictures or colourful paper, to use in arts and crafts projects.