All too often, we have heard no one 'takes' unwanted books, and have seen them discarded in the trash. It occurred to us that that wasn't right -- there are plenty of people who want and can use books!

So in early June 2011 we decided to become a book/media clearinghouse and remove unwanted books, CDs and DVDs. Our general notion was to help people who no longer wanted or needed their books place them with those who did. We figured that we'd make a few pickups and drive and/or mail some boxes to schools, community centers, servicemen overseas and prisons – keeping the books off dusty and ignored bookshelves and out of N.J. landfills. A win-win.

We never imagined that after only six months we would have made hundreds of pickups, processed close to 35,000 volumes (about 16.5 tons of books!) and received recognition, support and thanks from recipients all over the U.S., local press and, most recently, from Governor Chris Christie who thanked us on behalf of the State of New Jersey for the creative way we have served our community.

Some of the types of places we donate your books include:

• Food banks in New Jersey, New York and Maine
• Schools and after-school programs in New York, New Jersey, Kentucky and Missouri
• Community Centers in Oregon and New Jersey
• The Pritzker War Library in Illinois
• U.S. troops in Afghanistan

BookBgone has also picked up books from individuals all over New Jersey from Jackson to Montville to Ramsey; and has helped local community centers, houses of worship, libraries and schools to place overstocked, withdrawn or otherwise unused books with those groups who were in need of them.