Policies

2019 Pilot Project to Re-Use Withdrawn Books

In accordance with the University's strategic plans on sustainable practice, the Library of Trinity College Dublin is piloting a new way of disposing of some of its purchased books – out-of-date editions of textbooks, for the most part.

During this pilot, which will run from September 2019 to August 2020, the Library will send books to a company which will sell as many of them as possible, giving a percentage of any sale to a literacy charity. There are two advantages to this scheme - the books will be re-used and other students will benefit. Any books which are not sold will be recycled in a responsible manner.

Better World Books is a for-profit socially minded business that collects and sells books online with each sale generating funds for literacy initiatives around the world. Any funds generated from the sale of books withdrawn from Trinity Library during this pilot, will go to Suas, an organisation in Dublin which helps children in Ireland and overseas to develop literacy skills.

It is important to note that the Library is NOT disposing of books received under the terms of Legal Deposit.

If you have any questions about this pilot project, please contact libraryaccessions@tcd.ie.