Fundraising program to collect used books in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – The Middle School PTO has launched a new fundraising program collecting used books.The fundraiser is a partnership with Got Books, a for-profit professional fundraiser and used book dealer in North Reading.The Got Books donation container, which is clearly marked with purple and yellow signs, is located in the driveway at the back of the middle school, 207 Forest Ave. The recycling bin is accessible 24 hours a day for area residents to drop off unwanted books.Principal Ralph Watson said the fundraiser is a PTO initiative.Rene Santella, who is not a member of the PTO, said what she read about the program caught her eye and she thought it would be a good fundraiser for the middle school PTO.Santella said the middle school would receive five cents a pound for the books and the collection box holds approximately 3,500 pounds of books.According to the company, Got Books employees sort the donations and determine how the books will be sold. Got Books sells approximately 80 percent of the books it receives in a weekly book sale and 50 percent of the book sale profits are given to non-profit “partners,” according to marketing coordinator Michelle Bushee.Bushee said Swampscott Middle School would be paid by the pound but it would not receive any money from the weekly book sales. Bushee said 50 percent of proceeds from the weekly book sales is earmarked for RahRah in Lowell, Local Heroes or another “partner.” Bushee said the remaining 50 percent of the proceeds from the weekly book sales is kept by Got Books. According to Bushee, 10 to 15 percent of the donated books are sold at online auction sites and all the proceeds from Internet sales are kept by Got Books and not distributed to non-profits. She said the remaining 5 to 10 percent of books are given away or recycled.Got Books accepts books, CDs, videos and audio books but it does not accept encylopedias, magazines, newspapers or catalogues. Donations to Got Books collection boxes are not tax deductible.The weekly book sale is held on Friday’s and Saturday’s from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 35 Concord St. in North Reading.