Books for the Planet is a division of Quest Living Network, a non-profit corporation
Books for the Planet was started, at least conceptually, about 10 years ago in Kansas City by Paul Haughey.
He was attending KU as a graduate student, and he and some friends decided to develop a textbook exchange program. They really couldn't afford new textbooks every semester, and decided that an exchange program would save everyone money, and prevent unwanted textbooks from ending up in a landfill.
The exchange program grew exponentially, and soon they discovered that unwanted books from publishers, bookstores, and salvage companies often end up in landfills, also. They mounted a book rescue effort, and after just two or three semesters, they had an inventory of thousands of books. In 2001, Paul opened a warehouse in Kansas City, KS, called Quest Living Books, which quickly became one of the largest book distribution warehouses in the midwest.
From the start, one of the goals of Quest Living was to be a "zero-footprint" organization. All its supplies are recycled - the paper, envelopes, cardboard, packing materials, ink, toner, office supplies, etc. And the corporate charter specifies that any surplus book inventory would not end up in a landfill - it would be donated to libraries & nonprofit organizations. And between 1998 and 2005, they donated over 200,000 books to nonprofit organizations.
However, in late 2005, it was brought to our attention that most of the libraries and nonprofits who received these donations had actually thrown away a large percent of these books. When we approached them, they told us that they simply receive too many donations, and have too many surplus items of their own - and there is no clear outlet for surplus books.
This was not acceptable to us. In his travels and teaching, Paul had seen extreme forms of poverty in the US and abroad, and was saddened to see widespread illiteracy in some parts of the world while others are sending thousands of perfectly good books to the landfills. So Paul decided to found Books for the Planet. With a small staff of volunteers, we've been able to develop programs to get these books to needy children and economically depressed communities, all over the world. We have even forged alliances with a few libraries and nonprofits, and now work with them to make sure books do not end up in landfills.
The Quest Living Network sold its book warehouse in 2005, but the other corporate divisions maintain their dedication to the environment and social awareness. In fact, Quest Living Publishing has become one of the most environmentally-friendly publishers in the country.
Books for the Planet is growing exponentially. We now have chapters in Kansas City, St Louis, Denver, and are soon opening chapters in Milwaukee, and Dallas/Ft Worth. You can help by making a financial contribution or donating books. Or, you could help us spread the word - let your local library, used bookstore, or nonprofit know that we are happy to accept their unwanted books and media, get them in the hands of people who need them.
He was attending KU as a graduate student, and he and some friends decided to develop a textbook exchange program. They really couldn't afford new textbooks every semester, and decided that an exchange program would save everyone money, and prevent unwanted textbooks from ending up in a landfill.
The exchange program grew exponentially, and soon they discovered that unwanted books from publishers, bookstores, and salvage companies often end up in landfills, also. They mounted a book rescue effort, and after just two or three semesters, they had an inventory of thousands of books. In 2001, Paul opened a warehouse in Kansas City, KS, called Quest Living Books, which quickly became one of the largest book distribution warehouses in the midwest.
From the start, one of the goals of Quest Living was to be a "zero-footprint" organization. All its supplies are recycled - the paper, envelopes, cardboard, packing materials, ink, toner, office supplies, etc. And the corporate charter specifies that any surplus book inventory would not end up in a landfill - it would be donated to libraries & nonprofit organizations. And between 1998 and 2005, they donated over 200,000 books to nonprofit organizations.
However, in late 2005, it was brought to our attention that most of the libraries and nonprofits who received these donations had actually thrown away a large percent of these books. When we approached them, they told us that they simply receive too many donations, and have too many surplus items of their own - and there is no clear outlet for surplus books.
This was not acceptable to us. In his travels and teaching, Paul had seen extreme forms of poverty in the US and abroad, and was saddened to see widespread illiteracy in some parts of the world while others are sending thousands of perfectly good books to the landfills. So Paul decided to found Books for the Planet. With a small staff of volunteers, we've been able to develop programs to get these books to needy children and economically depressed communities, all over the world. We have even forged alliances with a few libraries and nonprofits, and now work with them to make sure books do not end up in landfills.
The Quest Living Network sold its book warehouse in 2005, but the other corporate divisions maintain their dedication to the environment and social awareness. In fact, Quest Living Publishing has become one of the most environmentally-friendly publishers in the country.
Books for the Planet is growing exponentially. We now have chapters in Kansas City, St Louis, Denver, and are soon opening chapters in Milwaukee, and Dallas/Ft Worth. You can help by making a financial contribution or donating books. Or, you could help us spread the word - let your local library, used bookstore, or nonprofit know that we are happy to accept their unwanted books and media, get them in the hands of people who need them.
Please get involved today:
become a member or an angel, donate books, volunteer, or help us find schools in your area who need our help.
become a member or an angel, donate books, volunteer, or help us find schools in your area who need our help.
Our mission is to promote ecology, literacy, and social awareness through recycling.
If you are interested in getting involved, become a volunteer.
If you would like to donate, click the button below.
If you would like to donate, click the button below.