In a nutshell: we source books from publishers, libraries, shops and individuals and given them away free of charge to organizations working with homeless people, former prisoners, refugees and asylum applicants, women and children in refuges and shelters, organizations working with ex-service personnel and others who have no funds to buy books.
All books are stamped with our name, web address and slogan: free books, free minds - this is partly to reassure publishers that if they donate slightly damaged copies, end of print runs etc, we will not sell them and we do not allow our recipients to sell them for fundraising.

The project is well-suited to offer work training, an introduction to the field of publishing and libraries and general office work. It is also a great volunteering opportunity to book lovers with time to spare.

Our aim in the longer term is to open Borderline Books projects in many more cities around the country so that books are available nearby and don't need to be transported up and down the country.

In 2004 we were runners up in the first Ashoka Changemakers competition.
Our Dutch branch is flourishing in Leiden and Groningen. - More news via the website.

Problema

More and more small organizations in the UK are losing their funding and have a huge need for support in concrete forms. Books for their clients simply don't fit in the budget. We are always pleased to invite them to come and select the right books - and to be able to tell them to let people keep the books they love - we can always provide more. While we appreciate the need for books in Africa and other countries, there are many other organizations addressing those needs. We concentrate on the need here in the UK.

Ofertas e demandas

There's no such thing as competition in this field. There are several organizations collecting books to send to Africa and other parts of the world. Our focus is on supplying books to people and organizations in the UK who don't have the funds to buy books. The only other organization in the Uk that we are aware of who give free books to people in the UK is Healthy Planet. The main difference is that they provide books for anyone whereas we give books primarily to charities working with vulnerable people in various situations - this restriction allows us to source books direct from publishers since we promise never to sell the books or allow recipients to sell them. Healthy Planet have been able to provide us with our fabulous work space in Gateshead and we hope to work with them on other projects - but still keep a clear distinction between our projects when it comes to the book donations.