Board, others collect books

At the end of each semester at the Capstone, Mortar Board, the Social Worker's Association for Cultural Awareness and Phi Alpha, the social work honor society, ask their members to take time away from studying to collect books to send to African schools and libraries.

Dylan Whisenhunt, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, helped organize Mortar Board's book drive in the fall.

"We did a really great job this semester," Whisenhunt said. "Cooperating with the social work organizations was a huge success."

Whisenhunt said the books are shipped to Africa by a charity called Better World Books, which pays for the shipping costs.

"We collected the books from all over campus, packed them and sent them," Whisenhunt said. "Better World Books makes all of this possible by paying for the shipping, which is something that we couldn't afford."

This year, Whisenhunt said, the Capstone's drive has received attention from the national offices of Better World Books.

"They thought that our drive was especially well-organized and successful," Whisenhunt said. "They want to use our system as a model for other colleges and universities around the country to follow when they hold books for Africa drives of their own."

Whisenhunt said the idea behind the drive's success each semester is one most college students can relate to.

"Most of the donations we received are books that students can't sell back, or won't get very much from selling," Whisenhunt said. "We think that it's better to donate books that you're only going to get $5 for, anyway. Helping promote literacy in Africa is definitely worth that."

Vicky Carter, president of SWACA and a graduate student studying social work, said she has never seen an unsuccessful book drive at the University.

"We have already sent more than 50 boxes of books, and we're still in the process of collecting and sending more," Carter said. "We really had a successful drive last semester."

Carter said Better World Books is a great organization to donate to.

"They prefer getting books that are less than 5 years old," Carter said. "But if they do end up receiving books that are older, they recycle them, rather than just throwing them away."

Blair Darnell, a junior majoring in social work, helped make the drive a success by organizing Phi Alpha to help.

"I really want to thank everyone who donated books," Darnell said. "Those donations make the drive possible each time, and really provide something great to schools in Africa."

Whisenhunt said the drive has been held at the end of most semesters at the Capstone for several years.

"I couldn't say exactly how many years the drive has been happening," he said, "but we are simply continuing a great tradition started by others who first organized the drive at UA."

Whisenhunt said the drive would continue at the end of this semester and provide students with another opportunity to donate.

"Last semester, we had about 22 bins on and off campus, but couldn't get permission to put any in the residence halls or libraries," Whisenhunt said. "This semester, we hope to change that, and get boxes in as many places as possible."