How to get rid of lots & lots of unneeded books?

[msd]

OK, folks, here's the deal...

In a previous life, I was a programmer and acquired a simply massive number of books (lots of Microsoft Press/Wrox/others). I started law school a couple years ago (yay! - last year for me) and would love to get rid of them as they are taking up a considerable amount of space in a crowded downtown apartment. The problem is that most of the books are, relatively speaking, out of date (in terms of technology) and the places I have called (Boston Public Library system and Salvation Army) either don't accept textbooks (which they classified them as) or simply don't take books altogether.

So, while the thought of just throwing them out makes me sick to my stomach, I can't continue to have them take up the amount of space they are taking up.

Ideas?

 

[tarchon]

Old computer books have about the same value as old phone books. You might be able to donate a few of the more generic ones to 3rd world book programs, but other than that they're not much good for anything but feeding the recycle bin.

 

[DaveMage]

You probably have a local recycling center. Call them and ask what they suggest.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Misread post.

 

[kirinke]

Take them to Half Price books or the local equivalent. Recycling is also a good option.

 

[Crothian]

donate them to a library for the tax break

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Most used bookstores won't take them. Or they'll stick them out on the freebie bin. But you won't get any trade value out of them due to their age. It'd be better to feed the recycle bin with them.

 

[IronWolf]

Yeah, old computer books can lose their value quite quickly! Recycling is always an option. Maybe a community center of some sorts might want some of them. Another thing is to post them for free on your local LUG mailing list. At least they get to go to decent homes that way.

 

[kirinke]

I think, considering how old the probably they are he probably realizes he any trade value is probably better than nothing. And as long as somebody uses them, well that's a kind of recycling to.

 

[Buttercup]

donate them to a library for the tax break

Crothian, as he said, the library will not take them. The last thing most libraries want is a bunch of crap that nobody will ever use. Shelf space is expensive, libraries can't afford to waste it.

The best choices are:

1. Recycling center.

2. Landfill.