Money Moral Dilemma: Should we sign our child up to a free book scheme when we can afford books?

AuntyFlynn

I would suggest you take your child to an independent book shop to buy books and if you can donate to the charity. Or if you want to buy online, again involve them in the process, if you use Bookshop.org they give a donation to a local book shop of your choice, not sure if they pay taxes but at least local independents appreciate it.

m1n1mirabelle

The foundation that organises this scheme only part funds the costs of providing the books for each child. The local partner, which might be the library, a school, or organisation specifically set up to run it, has to raise funds to cover the remainder of the costs. So, if you want your child to benefit, and you can afford it, making a donation to the local partner would be the right thing to do. You could even go a step further and get actively involved in fundraising for the scheme in order to benefit many more children! 

patrick17835

Fine to use the service.  If you're going to say that you shouldn't use it because you're well-off and the charity's resources are limited, then logically you shouldn't use the library either because by borrowing books you're stopping someone else from having them at the same time, or you shouldn't see an NHS doctor because you're stopping someone else from seeing them at that time, etc, etc, etc.  What's the point in earning three times the UK average if you're just going to keep on penalising yourself over everything until you're back down to the average?

SadieO

MrWalt said:

100% use it. It's probably funded by corporations and the wealthy seeking tax-relief. It's not like you're taking a guide-dog off a blind person or food from a hungry child. Some of the comments here are terribly judgemental and people should should think twice before posting.

Indeed! These books will be a write-off from the publishers. And proving there is a demand for these projects can help them to get funding and publicity, and ultimately help to keep them going and help them get into the hands of the families that can't afford them, or haven't heard of them. And, as others have said, making them universal instead of "something that poor people do" can remove stigma. (It's awful, but some kids can get teased for getting free school lunches, so I can well imagine that carrying round a particular book that is known for being from charity might have the same effect, sadly!) 

As has already been suggested, if you are lucky enough to have spare income, donate some money back to the scheme or a similar one, and donate the books after your kid has read or grown out of them.  

lisajg567

I hadn't heard of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library so I've looked it up. It is a lovely idea - set up to inspire a love of reading for all children aged 5 and under. Imagine being a child of that age and getting a package through the post addressed to you each month with a surprise book inside! You can easily donate through the website to cover the costs involved if you can afford it.

silvercar

I'd like to know why this has been categorised in the Mum's money saving section. Don't Dad's or grandparents have an interest in their kids reading?

Delbury

Charities exist to help people who are not in a position to help themselves.
Perhaps you could donate some spare books to the charity, or alternatively our local food bank gives books out to families with children, I'm sure they would welcome fresh supplies when you have finished with the books you have.

LizzieFlorence

I would assume that you know that you should say no   so why are you asking the question?

hannerrbabes

Obviously not. Charities are there for people in need. You're not in need. 
Plus books are so cheap these days from places such as Amazon, eBay or charity shops. Or even free from the traditional library or 'little libraries'. 
Don't use resources you don't need. 

dinosaur66

so many people on here have high morals and will give all there state pension to a childrens charity because they have enough to live on

its only a book for a child / most standard sized charity shops do not even accept books unless they are once read/shiny like new and only then with reluctance