BORDERLINE BOOKS
free books
free minds
in 2020 we gave away more than 27,600 books which was a record.
As of the end of August 2021 we've given away 14,500 so far.
Things have slowly been getting back to 'normal' over the past few months. We can now allow organisations to select books for themselves if they wish (please wear masks).
We have prepared several shipments of books for groups taking part in Gateshead's Brighten the Day summer holiday projects, which has also introduced us to a number of local organisations that were previously unaware of our work.
All visits - whether to donate books or to collect them - are strictly by appointment as we want to make sure there are never too many people visiting at one time and that we can give the necessary attention to visitors.
We have recently received a large donation of self-study grammar books that are highly suitable for prisons and for refugee groups. Get in touch if you need some.
Our current opening hours are as follows:
Monday & Friday 10:00 - 16:00 (excluding bank holidays)
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 13:30 - 18:00
books in prison
books in prison
We have been listed in the Hardman Directory since 2017 and send free books to people who write to us. In some prisons we need to send them in c/o a staff member who can see them through security and ensure that they reach the right person. We invite people working in Safer Custody, Education or Reducing Reoffending to get in touch.
Literacy
Literacy
The National Literacy Trust states that 9% of children and young people say that they don’t have any books of their own at home. We want to help change that. We contact local schools and community groups and encourage them to hold Free Book Fridays so that every child has books of their own. Of course, if the parents read it will help as well, so some groups take books for parents too.
no waste
no waste
We don't believe in destroying books. There's always another way. We try to find new purposes for the books that are beyond repair or long out of date. Some are used for art projects, some for stage sets, who knows, some may have become beds for guinea pigs... think of something!
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
WE COLLECT BOOKS NO LONGER NEEDED BY PUBLISHERS, LIBRARIES, SHOPS AND
THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND DONATE THEM TO ORGANIsATIONS WORKING WITH PEOPLE
WHO FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO BUY BOOKS.
this includes organisations supporting people who are homeless, women's refuges, bail hostels, young people's hostels, refugee groups, food banks and people in prison.
We aim to reach people who do not or cannot use public libraries
We also welcome donations of books in any language from authors and literary agencies.
First copies will go to our Multilingual Library and duplicates will go to prisons or to other multilingual libraries around the uk.
making a difference
making a difference
thank you so much for the books and for the [toy] dog for my little brother, he will be so pleased.
pupil Furrowfield School