Donation Huts Causing Confusion

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Book drop huts around Oklahoma have caused confusion among some Oklahomans looking to donate to local libraries.

The huts are marked with the words "Donate Books" in big bold print.

The Metropolitan Library System's executive director, Donna Morris said some people have thought the donations from the huts would go to Metro libraries. She said this is not the case and credits the little information on the huts for the confusion.

"They (donors) should at least know who they're giving the books to," Morris said.

She said there was a recent example of a woman who mistakenly slid her donations into a hut.

"She took her gift books to that kiosk and then came in the library and said, ‘I took my books down the street, you'll get them wont you?'"

The boxes list a small contact number that belongs to a for-profit business called Books Recycled. The Norman based business sorts through the donation bins and sells the profitable items online.

Some of their items are listed for hundreds of dollars.

The books the company can't sell end up in the recycle bins outside their business or in the trash.

"We don't have room or funds to store the books we cannot profit off of, but we do make them available to charities if we're given a request," said Books Recycled owner Chris Oberst. "Only ten percent of the books are profitable."

Oberst said he does not believe donation huts or the signs on them could be seen as misleading.

"Obviously some people have thought the donations were going to the library. I think they have an obligation to put some additional information on their kiosk that identifies who the company is and who you're donating books to," Morris said.

She said the sign should indicate the donated books could be going for personal profit.

Books Recycled does contact libraries and charities to see if they would like the excess books. The Metropolitan Library System has been contacted by the business, but Morris said e-mails from the company stopped when she asked for more information.

Oberst said there have been some charities that he has given excess books to.

Non profit organizations interested in Books Recycled's unused books should call 405-307-9300.

More information on how to donate to your local library