Alibris Helps Hurricane-Ravaged Libraries with Wishlists of Books   - 1,319 Views,

The good folks at Alibris, known and loved across the Internet for their rare and out-of-print book finding service, as well as for providing readers with more contemporary books, aim to help restore books to these libraries, and have created a wishlist on their website.

According to a statement put out today by Alibris, “Alibris has created an online Gulf Coast book wishlist at http://www.alibris.com, where customers can donate new or used books to libraries in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi that were destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

For each book donated by a customer, Alibris will donate a book to the drive.

“We share our customers’ passion for books and for reading — whether for education or entertainment,” said Alibris CEO Martin Manley. “Alibris wants to make sure that communities have the books they need as they rebuild. Ours may be a small contribution-but with enough small contributions, we can help millions of people to get back on their feet.”

According to the American Library Association, dozens of public, school, academic, and private libraries have sustained significant damage. Affected Gulf Coast libraries will have to rebuild local historic collections in addition to restocking general reading materials.

“Alibris, with its extensive selection of out-of-print and rare books, is a natural partner for this effort,” says TLA representative Gloria Meraz. “The hurricane damage has been tragic on many levels, but we’re pleased to be able to add to relief efforts on behalf of booklovers.” The Alibris wishlist will be available at least through the end of October. TLA has arranged to hold donations until the affected libraries are ready for shipments.”

Nice, we always knew that Alibris was a class act.