Our goal is to "rescue" books from the landfill, and get them to children in need. Our shelves display over 80,000 books. Schools or organizations working with children in need are welcome to choose books free of charge.
Homeschools and the general community are invited to join our Homeschool Program page (see link on the right). If you have gently used books, please consider donating them.
WE WILL ACCEPT ANY KIND OF BOOK. PLEASE DROP OFF BOOKS, OR OTHER ITEMS, ONLY DURING BUSINESS HOURS. ALSO, PLEASE CALL AHEAD BEFORE DROPPING OFF VERY LARGE DONATIONS.
Children under age 14 are not permitted in the textbook & warehouse area.
WHERE DO THOSE BOOKS GO?
Closer to home, the gently used, rescued books have enhanced the lives of students in many low income school districts, alternative schools, and special-ed programs throughout Illinois. At the 2009 Catholic Charities Back-to-School fair, SCARCE gave out over 11,000 books to the 1,147 families (5,688 individuals) who attended. Attendance this year was up by 1,400 from last year.
All teachers are welcome to check out our Book Rescue as a free resource for your school.
Your donated books & supplies have also found new homes in schools, orphanages, hospitals, confined youth centers and libraries in 25% of the countries around the world - including Kenya, China, India, Lithuania, Columbia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uganda and many more... Check out the map below to see where children are using your donated books right now!
YOUR SUPPORT & FUNDING
The Book Rescue is supported entirely by donations and is staffed primarily by volunteers. If you are interested in supporting us with your time or financially, please contact us.
We ask schools to partner with us in our mission by holding one cell phone collection/drive per school year. Every cell phone donated will help us maintain the Book Rescue as your top community resource!
