The First Book National Book Bank (FBNBB) is always looking for new warehouse space in which to conduct book distributions. By donating space, you can bring books to children in need in your community as well as across the country.

We are looking for warehouse space that ideally meets the following criteria:

• Operational (staff and equipment on hand to receive shipments)
• Loading dock
• Forklift and/or pallet jacks available
• From 2,000 to 5,000 square feet of storage space (capacity to house 100,000-500,000 books at a given time)
• Use of empty pallets for assembling book orders
• Access to warehouse by First Book employees and volunteers

In return for a donation of warehouse space, First Book will provide the donor with the appropriate tax deduction documentation, and will also publicize the warehouse donation in book distribution marketing materials.

The typical timeframe for a book distribution is as follows:

• A publisher offers to donate books to First Book.
• First Book searches for a warehouse partner that matches the need for the particular donation. Storage requirements are typically between 2,000 and 5,000 square feet of space over a time period of 6-8 weeks.
• First Book provides the publisher with a shipping address and contact information. The publisher ships the books to the facility.
• The warehouse is asked to accept the delivery, unload the truck(s), and provide an inventory. Books are stored at the facility for the pre-determined timeframe.  All of the books are palletized.
• First Book staff and volunteers from the community travel to the warehouse.  For a series of days (usually one to five days, depending on the size of the donation), First Book staff and volunteers stage orders. Occasional warehouse help, such as moving pallets with a forklift or access to a pallet jack, may be necessary.
• Books are picked up at the warehouse by local nonprofit organizations and schools serving children from low-income families. First Book will also ship out books via UPS (UPS will often drop a trailer for a few days or schedule multiple pick-ups).  First Book staff and volunteers provide the labor to direct traffic, load cars, etc.

First Book has extensive warehouse experience and First Book employees and trained volunteers will be responsible for all logistics except delivery acceptance and the movement and storage of pallets.

Additionally, First Book would be happy to discuss other ways to spotlight the donation partnership, depending upon the extent of the donation.

For more information, please contact Tabitha Blackwell at tblackwell@firstbook.org.