Submitted by Simon Gornick on November 12, 2010 - 11:58pm
Click the link below for the relevant quick FAQ. If you need more detail click here.
Donors
Library Staff
Donors
Are my book donations tax deductible?
Can I get a list of my donations for my taxes?
Do I need to register to use the site?
Can I contact my school librarian directly?
Do I have to be a parent to donate?
Is there a limit to how many books I can donate?
How do I tell my Librarian about SLX?
Can I access book requests from my own blog or web page?
Are my book donations tax deductible?
In the United States the answer is yes, they are. The IRS will automatically consider K-12 public schools in the United States to be 501(3)(c) entities for the purposes of making charitable deductions on your Federal Taxes, but in order to utilize this, you must itemize your contributions. Books purchased and donated via Amazon can be deducted at list price. Name a fair benchmark donation value for books in your possession. For example, $2 for a hardback, and $1 for a paperback.
We’re compiling tax information for other countries too, but please be aware that the above guidelines do not represent financial or taxation advice. Always consult an accountancy professional for definitive information.
Can I get a list of my donations for my taxes?
Yes. For more details go here.
Find and join your school, then click on a book you’d like to donate via the school’s list of book requests. To pledge a donation you need to complete the short signup form after which you can either donate from your home collection, or click on the Amazon link, make the purchase and add the school library address from the school page as the shipping address. If the school has an Amazon Wish List, the shipping address can be chosen fat check-out.
Yes. When you signup to donate a book on a book request, just hit the Make this donation anonymous checkbox and you’re all set. But make sure to add your details anyway, so a record of your donation is logged on the site.
Do I need to register to use the site?
No. You don’t need to register at all. We wanted to design SLX to make it as easy to access and use as possible. But if you do register, you can make book suggestions and connect directly with your librarian if they’ve enabled their contact page.
Click on My Account on the right side of the header, then hit the edit tab. Follow the instructions to change your account information including username and password, as well as your *picture, (if you don’t upload one of their own, you’ll utilize the default SLX logo image). You can also adjust your contact settings and notification settings. Don’t forget to click save to return to View Account.
Under the Facebook sub-tab, you can connect with SLX using your Facebook account, and under Profile you can change your display name (usually your real name).
Find your school via the Find a School menu link, via zipcode search or searching by name. (If your school doesn’t have a page – give the librarian a heads up about us!)
Once you find a school you want to join, go to the school’s page. You’ll see a join link on any school page that allows either open or moderated enrollment. Click on the join link. If the school librarian has set the membership to open, you’ll confirm your membership and then you’re in. If the school has moderated membership, you submit your username and you’ll hear back via the email address you used to join SLX.
Can I contact my school librarian directly?
If your school’s librarian activates his or her contact page, there’s a link on the SLX school page that lets you connect very easily.
Do I have to be a parent to donate?
No, you don’t. You can be a grandparent, friend of the family, student or staff member of a school. You can also register for any number of book lists nationwide. Choose your own school and a school in a hard-hit district that really needs help.
Is there a limit to how many books I can donate?
No. But we’re glad you asked.
How do I tell my Librarian about SLX?
Here’s the basic idea. “At its core the School Library Exchange is very simple. School Librarians create books requests that users can access to donate the books that library needs.”
There are plenty of other bells and whistles but that’s the logline for what we do.
Most schools and school districts have easily accessible websites that usually list school library staff via the district or school site. You can also contact the school’s PTA, or you can do it the old-fashioned way and simply call the school.
Back to home
Yes, you can by clicking on the Book Suggestion Tab on the School Page book list and completing the short form. Other users can then rate your suggestions, and librarians can convert book suggestions into book requests which can then be donated to the library.
Can I access book requests from my own blog or web page?
The answer is yes. Just go here for more details.
Library Staff
Do I need to register to use the site?
Can I remove book requests from my list?
How do I connect with parents on my list?
Can I add more than one school to my profile ?
Can I customize my school page?
Can I add book requests to my own library web page?
Do I need to register to use the site?
The answer is yes. School libraries are the core of our service so we need to make sure all the information we’re presented with is accurate.
- First, school library staff register on site, then login.
- Library staff fill out a form to add their schools.
- Once we receive the form and verify your connection to the school, we’ll set you up with a school page, and make you the Library Staff Editor or LSE.
- After that you can sign in as page admin, customize the page with school details, donation guidelines, colors, and most importantly book requests – including the number of copies you’re seeking.
The system logs the donations in the system and even removes a book from your list once you’ve been pledged or received all the copies you need.
Back to home
How do I manage my book request list?
The key is adding the book requests that make up your list. SLX draws its book information from Amazon via each book’s ISBN-10, ISBN-13, or ASIN. We also provide a link that donors can use after filling out a sign up form to purchase the book and ship it to your library. Library Staff can also manage book requests and signups.
Can I remove book requests from my list?
Yes, any time. When the total number of copies you asked for is received, whether from Amazon or a direct donation, the request automatically becomes unlisted. You can edit or delete a request at any time.
How do I connect with parents on my list?
You can send a message to everyone that’s subscribed to your school and book list, and if you enable your contact form, they can send messages to you too.
Can I add more than one school to my profile ?
Yes, you can, as long as you’re verified by SLX for each.
Can I customize my school page?
You can change theme colors, add a school picture or emblem, information about your school, donation guidelines, and what kind of book donations it needs.
Can I add book requests to my own library web page?
The answer is yes. Just go here for more details.
If your questions aren’t answered above try
Library Staff Manual for registered School Library Staff or the Community Manual for all other users.
If you’re still stuck, click here and get in touch.
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