5-Day Book Giveaway Announced By Contra Costa County Library

PLEASANT HILL, CA — Mark your calendars, East Bay! Contra Costa County Library has announced the dates for its annual book giveaway when tens of thousands of books — paperback and hardcover fiction, non-fiction and children's books — from the county's 26 community libraries are available to the public for free.

The five-day book giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily beginning Tuesday, July 16 through Saturday, July 20, in the Shipping and Receiving Area of the Pleasant Hill Library, 75 Santa Barbara Road in Pleasant Hill.

Books are available on a first-come, first served basis and attendees should bring their own boxes or bags, according to library officials.

Books at the giveaway have been removed from the library collection because of lack of circulation, poor condition or relevance, with the process for removal done in accordance with the Contra Costa County Library Collection Development Plan.

Further, a September 1998 resolution signed by the County Board of Supervisors allows the library system to declare outdated and damaged library materials as surplus and give them away as appropriate, library officials said.

"Removing materials is standard practice for libraries and helps patrons to easily locate books and discover new items," said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. "Collection maintenance helps staff to identify gaps and create space on our shelves for new materials."

Questions about the book giveaway can be directed to Library Administration by calling 925-608-7700 or sending an email to libadmin@ccclib.org.