In February 2016 we launched our first Better World Books book bank in England. We were so excited to expand our book bank programme south of the border! The book bank is located at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) at the Preston City Campus on Adelphi Street next to the Library building. It provides university staff, students and the public with a convenient way to drop off preloved books that they no longer need. We process the collected books at our warehouse in Dunfermline and sell them online. Each sale generates funding for Room to Read, a global nonprofit organisation that focuses on improving girls’ education and children’s literacy in Asia and Africa. Any books that aren’t sold are donated or recycled.

Better World Books and UCLan both share a very strong environmental ethos. Working together we are ensuring that books are reused or recycled, creating a sustainable environment. Since the launch this book bank has collected just over 7,000 books!

Lisa Banks, Director of Learning and Information Services, said: “We are delighted to be the first university in England to have a Better World Books’ bank on our Preston City Campus. Having this facility here will help our Library team to recycle old stock in a quick and efficient manner but it will also allow students, staff and members of the public to recycle their own books at a convenient location. The University has long been a sector leader in green initiatives, often gaining praise in the People and Planet Green League, so this is another fantastic addition to our facilities.”

If your organisation is interested in hosting a book bank please let us know by emailing our team at [email protected].