Local Business Collecting Book Donations

A local business has announced that it is collecting donations of new and gently-used books for a nonprofit organization that distributes them to benefit people with limited access to literature throughout the U.S. and the world.

, 39 W. Water St., Hellertown, has set up a donation box on behalf of Judith's Reading Room, a local organization that "promotes 'Freedom Through Literature' by providing custom libraries to not-for-profit organizations that serve people who, for any reason, have limited or no access to literature," according to its website.

According to a press release posted on www.judithsreadingroom.org, "Judith’s Reading Room was established in 2010 to honor the memory of Judith F. Krug, first cousin to the founders of Judith’s Reading Room."

Krug was the director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and the executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation.

The organization, which is based in Bethlehem, was founded by Cathy and Scott Leiber.

"Judith’s Reading Room is our interpretation of spreading the word of freedom through literacy, by delivering custom libraries--free of cost, with the goal to enrich lives through the simple act of reading," Scott Leiber said in the press release.

According to the Feb. 15 release, as of that date Judith's Reading Room had "donated 27,870 books valued at $302,735 both here in the United States and abroad" since its founding.

DCS Accounting & Tax Services said that U.S. troops serving at home and abroad will receive books thanks to the March donation drive in which it is participating.

Donors should also be aware that the following types of books are not accepted for donation: Reader's Digests, reference books and textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines, books without covers, books that are torn, books that have been written in, books with loose bindings, and "shabby" paperbacks.

Books can be dropped off at DCS Accounting & Tax Services during business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 4pm, throughout the month of March.