Donations of used books and media for a new retail outlet are needed to support Indy Reads adult literacy programs. People are being asked to box up gently used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and video games, and help others learn to read.
Indy Reads, Central Indiana’s only accredited adult literacy organization, is preparing to open a community bookstore. The store, to be called Indy Reads Books, will be located downtown along the Cultural Trail. It will be the only bookstore in downtown Indianapolis and is scheduled for completion later this spring.
Indy Reads Books will sell donated used books with proceeds benefiting Indy Reads’ literacy tutoring programs.
All types of books and media items, except for textbooks and magazines, are welcome. Some items may be sold through a third-party service prior to the store opening. Book and media collection boxes are at the following locations:
• Indy Reads Office – 2450 N. Meridian St. (noon to 5 p.m. weekdays)
• WFYI – 1630 N. Meridian St. (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays)
• The Best Chocolate in Town – 880 Mass. Ave. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday)
• Global Gifts – 446 Mass. Ave. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday)
• The Athenaeum – YMCA – 401 E. Michigan St. (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5. p.m. weekends)- this box will be available by Feb. 7.
Book-drives will also take place on the Butler University campus on Feb. 24 and at IUPUI on March 1. A local organization called Giving Sum will also be conducting book-drives.
Contributions are tax-deductible. Indy Reads cannot give receipts for books donated through the collection boxes. If donors wish to claim a deduction they will need to keep a record of the number of books and type (hardcover or paperback) donated at this time. Receipts will be available at the store after it opens.
Indy Reads Books will further support the mission of Indy Reads by providing private space for tutors and students to meet, training opportunities, and more. Initial funding for Indy Reads Books has been secured through grants from Margot Lacy Eccles, the Efroymson Fund, the Glick Fund, and Giving Sum.
Additional collection locations will be announced soon.
For more information, or to inquire about maintaining a collection box at a business or other organization, contact Travis DiNicola, executive director of Indy Reads, at (317) 275-4035 or tdinicola@indyreads.org.
