Words Beget Words - Donate Or Buy Books To Support Literacy

If you have some extra books lying around - new or 'gently' used, you could take them to place like Half-Price books (as opposed to throwing them away). Or you could donate them to Literacy Services of Wisconsin and help someone be able to read the very books you enjoyed or found useful. For more than four decades, LSW's core programs—basic reading and spelling, English as a Second Language (ESL), and General Educational Development (GED) Preparation—exemplify their belief that every person has a right to an excellent education.

Every year at the end of September, LSW holds a Book Drive to sell books to raise funds to support their programs. (If I was there I'd call it Bookoberfest since it is at the same time as Oktoberfest). This year is runs from Thursday, September 26th - Thursday, October 3rd at a new location inside The Shops of Grand Avenue. It goes from 9:30am - 6:30pm Daily in The Shops of Grand Avenue on the Second floor above T.J.Maxx, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave 53203. Parking is available in the Michigan Avenue Parking Structure and with thousands of donated books, this year's fund-raiser will hopefully be bigger and better than ever.


All books are sorted and presented with something for everyone. Priced to sell, all hardcover books are $2 and all paperbacks are $1. Each day, there will be an option to fill a bag with books for a special discounted price. Our doors will open early at 8:00am on opening day to folks who contribute $10.

Here's the thing, they need books to sell. LSW collects new and gently used books year-round to support their Annual Book Sale. They don't take textbooks, old library books, magazines, encyclopedias or Reader's Digest condensed books. You are welcome to drop off books at our downtown location during normal business hours or pick-up may be arranged by calling 414-344-5878. Right now though, it is very easy to donate books as many locations you might normally visit have drop off spots for you to take the books. ALl twelve Colectivo Coffee locations, Stone Creek Coffee at The Shops of Grand Avenue skywalk location has a box and will even be giving away a coupon for a free latte when you donate 5 or more books, and Cranky Al's in Tosa have drop boxes. Just added - Anodyne Coffee in Bay View.

So do some fall cleaning (I usually go through mine once a season) and take in any books you don't need anymore to a drop off spot. Then, stop by the sale and see if there are some missing in your library. The more you read the more you can help someone else read.

Also, if you wish to volunteer to help them before, during and after our book sale, contact dustin@literacyservices.org for more information.