What to do with college textbooks?

[Lisa, the usurper]

This may seem an odd discussion thread, but I'm at a loss with what to do with all my OLD textbooks. They are probably considered classics by now, so that can be my link to classics. Does anyone know of any sites that will take them or can you recycle them at certain centers? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! I need to clear some more shelves for my newer books to have a home!

[Dustin]

I have no idea, Lisa. When I was going to school, I usually sold them back to the bookstore.. unless it was a book I wanted to keep.:)

[GeneralTHC]

I would keep them. Heck, I wish I would have had the foresight to keep every book I was ever issued from elementary school on up. For the simple fact that they formed the basis of my knowledge by teaching me how to read, write, do math etc...

[J.S.]

Do you have a fireplace? Use them for kindling! ;) j/k (Now you all know how I felt about college.)

[Shannon]

This might help! http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Old...

Also there are a number of textbook rental websites that I believe accept donations. They sometimes take early editions of various textbooks.

[Prashant]

I have preserved them, they are part of my collection.

[Lisa, the usurper]

Thanks for the ideas everyone! My fireplace has a gas insert and with the burn bans that are in place around my area, it is hard to get any burning done. I have registered with the bookcrossing web site, but I have never left any books anywhere. I always thought that it sounded like fun to track books and where they end up. Although not for text books.

[Joy]

It depends on how old they are. You can try selling them to Amazon ... if they accept them they will issue you an Amazon credit. Use the ISBN # to see if they take it. Otherwise, you can take it to a used book store (Do you have Half Price Books where you live?) Also most colleges have some type of book bin where you can donate used textbooks ... even if they are out of date as texts, they might be useful to someone for research.

[Lisa, the usurper]

Thanks for the idea Joy! I have to admit they came in handy for my middle school son's science fair project though.

[Joy]

Lisa, you might also check with a local library ... I don't know where you live, but I live in a very small town, and our library would probably appreciate some of those texts added to their non-fiction section as resource material.