Earlier this month, TVCR supporter and zero waste enthusiasts, Laura and Randy Curtis shared this wonderful story of a chance encounter leading to the rescue of hundreds of Teton School District textbooks being rescued from the landfill and sent to school districts in need through Better World Books.
September 1, 2021 from Laura Curtis, Friends of the Valley of the Tetons Library
“I wanted to share just one more example of our wonderful community…and how simple conversations can make big things happen.
It started on Wednesday when Kristin Livingstone & I met to discuss ways the Education Foundation and Friends of the Valley of the Tetons Library could collaborate on serving our community. I happened to mention Better World Books (a global literacy/used book company in Reno that FOVTL/VTL have sent our excess books to for approx 10 years. I also happened to mention that they have a strong desire for textbooks that go to underserved communities around the world.
Then Kristin happened to mention that there were old/excess textbooks that Megan Bybee was gathering that were going to the dump. Well, earlier this afternoon we loaded up our SUV and hauled them to the Victor branch of VTL and we (Randy & I) started scanning them to see if BWB wanted us to “Ship it” (or the alternative is “Don’t Send It”). Anyway, of all of the textbooks, there were only 8 that they did not want! Granted, we did “breakdown” several of the binders/spiral bound materials that were included and recycled the office paper. There were also a few workbooks that were damaged/used that we could not send…those we’ll take back home with us to IL and recycle locally there.
The first picture below shows shows our SUV loaded up! The 2nd picture shows the 13 boxes that went to Better World Books…with the 8 displayed out front that didn’t make the cut (and will be going to the dump’s book bin).
I view this as a complete win, not only for Teton Valley…but for the world…who knows where these textbooks/workbooks will end up! (Oh, if only we could track them…wouldn’t that be wonderful!?)
A huge thanks to Kristin & Megan for helping make this happen!
Take care,
Laura Curtis,
President, FOVTL