ELF puts books on the shelf (CIPA ELF that is!)

ELF puts books on the shelf (CIPA ELF that is!)

By Gwen Clayton

Volunteer members of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA), gathered on Nov. 4 to inventory, catalog and pack more than 2,000 books that were donated to CIPA’s nonprofit Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF). The books were donated by publishers who exhibited their titles at the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s (MPIBA) Fall Discovery Show held in October.

The book donations totaled 2,422 copies of more than 600 titles, bringing the total value of the donation to $33,416.72. These books will be donated to schools, libraries, shelters, senior centers, hospitals, prisons, civic groups and other literacy organizations. A good portion of the books are Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) – un-proofed copies of titles released to booksellers and the media for critical review before the publication is officially released to the general public- but more than 1,080 copies of approximately 400 titles are newly published retail books.

Currently, with the addition of these new books, the CIPA ELF Book Donation Program inventory that’s available for distribution includes 3,270 books of 1,200 titles, with a total value of $54,695. Organizations wishing to view a list of available titles and/or receive copies of these books may email requests to [email protected]. Donation requests will be filled on a first come/first served basis.

CIPA ELF is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation whose purpose is to facilitate and support literacy and education for all ages through Colorado publishers’ resources and partnerships. Programs include Book Donations, Young Authors League, Visiting Authors, Senior Storytelling, Classroom Literacy Support and the CIPA EVVY Book Awards. For more information, visit cipabooks.com/cipa-elf.

The views expressed herein are not those of Colorado Independent Publishers Association, its officers or directors.  They are solely and completely those of the author. The Colorado Independent Publishers Association will not be held liable for any legal action resulting from information published in this newsletter, and the organization’s insurance will not cover any such action.