By Carolyn Cole/Staff Writer
published Jan. 3, 2009

Library advocates are worried green book recycling boxes sprouting across Oklahoma City and Mustang could cut into donations for friends’ sales.

Mustang resident Enda Burroughs said Yukon, Mustang and Oklahoma City libraries rely on profits raised by friends’ sales, which are fueled by patrons donating their used books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. She said Mustang, Yukon and Oklahoma City friends of the library groups are not benefiting from these book drop-off boxes.

“People who would normally donate books to the book sale may think this is faster and better and put it in this box,” she said.

There are 45 green drop off boxes throughout the metropolitan area set up by Books Recycled, Manager Mary Ann Myers said. Two drop-off boxes are located inside Mustang.

Books Recycled is a Norman-based private company, Myers said, which takes books, videos, software, audio books, video games, records, compact discs and DVDs.

“We sell some, and we give some away,” she said. “We give away about 90 percent of what we actually take in.”

Books Recycled does work with nonprofit organizations to help raise money. Myers said the company has agreements with three churches and an American Legion post.

“We pay them by the pound for the books that show up in their containers,” she said.

Books Recycled also helps support Goodwill by passing along book donations, as well as Toys for Tots, the Norman women’s shelter and Norman alcohol and drugs center, Myers said.

“We have given some to the friends of the library in Norman,” she said. “We are not associated with them.”