It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Maybe you have decided to give the joy of reading to a special someone, or been given the joy of reading in the form of piles of books.  Perhaps your book shelves are filled, nearly collapsing, with novels you may no longer be interested in.

Is it time to clean out after the holidays? Put those books to good use and instead of throwing them out, donate them to Rosario’s Library; a green and conscientious way to declutter.

The Holmdel High School Eco-Club is partnering with Rosario’s Library this winter to sponsor book collection in the Holmdel Library and Holmdel High School for the whole month of January.   

Rosario’s Library is a non-profit organization started Sam Noblejas in 2011. Her grandmother, Rosario, was an English teacher in the Philippines. She had to overcome many obstacles to become educated and worked hard to provide books and supplies for her nine children. Sam wanted to give back to her home country by providing books for children and adults in her grandmother’s hometown, San Miguel, Bulacan. Since then she has brought over 3,000 books to the library and numerous binders, loose leaf notebooks, and other supplies. Check out the Rosario’s Library Facebook page for even more information and pictures of the library!

The Eco-Club decided to partner with Rosario’s Library because the reuse of books is not only good for people, it’s good for the Earth. The “three R’s” start with reduce, which is not arbitrary. Reducing the amount of paper used it better than recycling it because there is less energy used, and more trees spared. Next comes reuse, which is the focus of this book drive. Could we instead be asking for money to buy new books for the library in the Philippines? Sure we could, but then your gently used books might end up in the trash, and more trees will be cut down to make their books. This just doesn’t make any sense. 

Any books coming to mind that you would like to donate? Rosario’s Library takes gently used books from all levels and genres, picture books to textbooks.  Educational magazines, like National Geographic are also acceptable. Other school supplies such as binders, loose leaf notebooks, filler paper, and pens and pencils are also appreciated. Current drop off locations are Holmdel Public Library, Holmdel High School Main Office during the whole month of January.

Don’t forget the wonderful asset a library is this holiday season! Perhaps a better way to give the joy of reading is in the form of a library card, and donation of books.