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    Press Kit

    Giving Books a Second Life

    Thanks for checking us out. Here's everything you need to tell our story.

    Todd Whalen, Founder of Give My Books Network

    Hey there, Todd Whalen here, the founder of Give My Books Network.

    That's me, surrounded by books as usual.

    "Of the making of many books, there is no end."

    I know not everyone who lands on this page is going to cover our story. But if you take two minutes to look this over, I think you'll see why you should — whether that's an article, an interview, a feature, a social post, or just sharing it with someone who will. And honestly, you should use our service too.

    Let me be straight with you. We've built something that I genuinely believe is going to change the way books are shared in this country, and eventually, around the world. And I need your help getting the word out. Please.

    Here's why this matters:

    People giving away books don't pay a dime for the Pick-Up. It's completely free.

    Pick-Up Partners don't pay for the books. They collect them for free and resell them to support their families.

    Schools and libraries requesting books through our Give ME Books program don't pay for them either.

    Partners are the driving force behind the Give ME Books program. They donate books directly to schools, libraries, and community organizations that need them most.

    The Cycle of Giving

    Everyone wins. The more people who use the service, the more books flow, and the more Partners join, which means even more books to distribute back into the community.

    Cycle of Giving: Families give books, Pick-Up Partners collect them, Partners resell to support families, Schools and Libraries request books, Partners donate books, Everyone wins

    Think about what Uber did to the taxi industry. It completely changed how people get around. That's what we're doing with books. We're connecting everyone who wants to give away books with people who want to receive them, and it's all free. No middleman. No fees. Just people helping people through the power of reading.

    And we're not stopping at Pick-Ups. We've got a growing network of low-cost community book sales that get books back into people's hands at prices everyone can afford. We're running national writing contests to celebrate creativity. And through our Give ME Books program, Partners are donating books directly to schools and community organizations that need them most.

    "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."

    Times are hard for a lot of people. But doing something absolutely wonderful for the country, and eventually the world, by being able to share books freely will in fact change things. I really believe that.

    Your readers need to know about this. And I need your help to make that happen.

    Even if you're not the right person to cover this story, I'd ask you to share this page with someone in your network who might be. Send them the URL. Tell them about us. Every person who hears about Give My Books Network is another person who might schedule a Pick-Up, become a Partner, or just spread the word to someone who will.

    Keep reading to see our live stats, our story, and everything else you might need. I promise it's worth your time.

    - Todd Whalen, Founder

    Company Overview

    Here's the quick version for your article or broadcast. Feel free to copy it word for word.

    Give My Books Network is America's Nationwide Community Book-Sharing Network, founded in 2008 by Todd Whalen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Network provides a free doorstep Pick-Up service for homes and businesses looking to pass along books, CDs, DVDs, and other media. Local Pick-Up Partners collect donated items, resell them to support their families, and can donate books to schools, libraries, and community organizations through the Give ME Books program. What started as a single father tossing flyers into driveways has grown into a nationwide network that has facilitated the collection and redistribution of over 1,000,000 books, including 30,000+ books given directly to schools during the pandemic.

    1,000,000+
    Books Collected & Redistributed
    31+
    States with Active Partners
    2,756+
    Cities Covered
    30,000+
    Books Given to Schools During Pandemic

    Live Network Coverage

    These numbers update in real time as new Pick-Up Partners join the Network

    31+
    States with Active Partners
    2,756+
    Cities Covered
    4,368+
    ZIP Codes Served
    See Our Live Coverage Map

    My Story

    Here's how we got here, in my own words

    "People LOVE their books. They want to know their books will be used in a good way. Books are memories. Everyone remembers where they were when they read a particular book."

    - Todd Whalen, Founder
    2008

    Rocks in a Bag

    I was a single father working evenings as a restaurant server in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I printed homemade flyers, cut them into quarters, sealed each in a Ziplock with garden stones for weight, and tossed them into driveways at night. The next morning, my phone wouldn't stop ringing. And that's how this whole thing started.

    2020

    30,000 Books to Schools

    When the pandemic hit, I pivoted. I gave over 30,000 books directly to Ann Arbor Public Schools, Ypsilanti Community Schools, and schools in Milan, Dearborn, Flint, and beyond. By 2022, calls were coming from Texas, Florida, and New York. I knew this had to become something bigger.

    2024

    The Network Goes Nationwide

    I sold the original Give My Books business and reinvested everything into building Give My Books Network. Now we're connecting local Pick-Up Partners with communities across the country. Partners collect donated books, support their families, and donate through the Give ME Books program. This is just the beginning.

    Today, Give My Books Network is America's Nationwide Community Book-Sharing Network, and my family's mission remains the same: make sure no good book goes to waste.

    Programs & Initiatives

    We're about more than just Pick-Ups. Here's what else we've got going on.

    Community Book Sales

    Our Pick-Up Partners host low-cost community book sales all over the country. We're talking $1 and $2 books that get reading material back into people's hands at prices everyone can afford. It's a win-win: Partners earn income and families get great books.

    View Upcoming Sales

    Give ME Books

    This one's close to my heart. Through our Give ME Books program, Partners can donate books directly to schools, libraries, and community organizations that need them. During the pandemic, I personally delivered over 30,000 books to schools across Michigan. Now Partners everywhere can do the same.

    Learn More

    National Writing Contests

    We've hosted two national writing contests so far, encouraging creativity and storytelling across communities nationwide. There's more on the way. We love celebrating the power of the written word, and these contests are a blast.

    Key Milestones

    A quick look at how we got here

    2008

    The First Phone Calls

    Founded in Ann Arbor. I put rocks in Ziplock bags with homemade flyers and tossed them into driveways at night. The next morning, my phone wouldn't stop ringing. A one-man book pickup service was born.

    2009

    GiveMyBooks.com

    Created the website and officially named the pickup service Give My Books. My family grew with a remarriage and a new baby on the way. Things were getting real.

    2010

    The Quarter Bookstore

    Rented a warehouse on Platt Rd in Pittsfield Twp and opened a community bookstore. Started the JLC Book Sale at my parents' house on Jay Lee Court. Books everywhere.

    2020

    30,000+ Books to Schools

    During the pandemic, I gave books directly to Ann Arbor Public Schools, Ypsilanti Community Schools, and schools in Milan, Dearborn, Flint and more. Kids needed books, and we had them.

    2022

    Nationwide Demand

    Calls started coming from Texas, Florida, New York. Close to 500,000 books picked up in one year from one location alone. I knew this needed to be bigger than just me.

    2024

    The Network Is Born

    Sold the original Give My Books business and reinvested everything into building Give My Books Network for Partners nationwide. This is what it was all building toward.

    Press

    In the Media

    Our journey through the media — from local book sales to a nationwide mission

    Ann Arbor Observer

    Ann Arbor Observer Feature

    An in-depth look at Give My Books and our mission to give books a second life in the community.

    WXYZ News

    50,000 Books Goal

    Founder Todd Whalen sets an ambitious goal to donate 50,000 books to the community.

    Oakland County Megacast

    Oakland County Megacast Interview

    Founder Todd Whalen joins the Oakland County Megacast to discuss the mission to donate 50,000 books to the community.

    ClickOnDetroit

    JLC Book Sale Returns

    Family-run JLC Book Sale returns to Ann Arbor at a new location, offering low-cost books to the community.

    Press Release

    Official Press Release

    Ready to publish or adapt for your outlet

    For Immediate Release

    Give My Books Network Launches Nationwide to Connect Communities Through Books

    Ann Arbor, MI - Give My Books Network, the free book and media Pick-Up service founded by Todd Whalen in 2008, has expanded into a nationwide platform connecting local Pick-Up Partners with homes and businesses across America.

    What began as a one-person book pickup operation in Ann Arbor has grown into America's Nationwide Community Book-Sharing Network. Give My Books Network provides a completely free doorstep Pick-Up service where local Partners collect donated books, CDs, DVDs, and other media directly from homes and businesses.

    Pick-Up Partners are local entrepreneurs and community members who resell collected items to support their families. Through the Network's Give ME Books program, Partners can also donate books to schools, libraries, and community organizations in need.

    "This business has benefited my family so much throughout the years that we just HAVE to give back to the community," said Todd Whalen, Founder. "We hope to be a well-known and well-trusted resource for families all across the country."

    The Network facilitated the collection and redistribution of over 200,000 books to date. During the 2020 pandemic, Whalen personally delivered more than 30,000 books to public schools across Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Milan, Dearborn, and Flint.

    Give My Books Network is actively onboarding Pick-Up Partners in communities nationwide. Individuals and families interested in scheduling a free Pick-Up can visit givemybooksnetwork.com. Community members interested in becoming a Pick-Up Partner can apply through the website.

    Media Contact

    Todd Whalen, Founder

    Give My Books Network

    outreach@givemybooksnetwork.com

    734-510-5656

    ###

    Seriously, Let's Talk

    Need an interview, a quote, some background, or just want to hear the story straight from me? I'm here. Pick whatever works for you.

    Todd Whalen
    Founder, Give My Books Network
    Phone Call

    734-510-5656

    Text Message

    734-510-5656

    Email

    outreach@givemybooksnetwork.com

    Zoom

    Happy to set one up

    Google Meet

    Whatever works for you

    Podcast / Radio

    I love a good conversation

    Email MeCall or Text

    One More Thing

    Even if you're not the right person to cover this story, I'd really appreciate it if you'd tell someone who is. Share this page with a colleague, a friend in media, or anyone who might want to write about what we're doing. Every share helps us reach more people who need to hear about this.

    Let's get this word out. Together.