Readers keep tons of books out of landfills

Dear Heloise: I would like to personally thank you and your readers who have responded so warmly to AdoptALibrary.org, and pass on the gratitude of librarians and teachers around the U.S. and the world. Since you last ran information about AdoptALibrary.org, we have had more than 250,000 visitors to the Web site — many of them generous readers of your column! Hundreds of thousands of books have been donated to schools and libraries (no donations are accepted by AdoptALibrary.org), benefiting people of all ages and keeping tons of books out of landfills.

Last year, the governors of Virginia and Nebraska proclaimed April 23, the day after Earth Day, Adopt a Library Day, and we are planning an even bigger celebration in 2008.

This year we are working to build up libraries at tribal colleges and on reservations. And because of generous donations, a tribal college library in Nebraska is now able to give a free donated book to all visitors to the library, helping build home libraries, too.

Your readers can avoid all the shipping costs by donating to local libraries and schools. Most public library systems accept book donations; they often sell those books they cannot shelve to support their programs. Please call your local library for information. Lynn Gaubatz, founder of AdoptALibrary.org.

Lynn, thank you and all who donate books for any cause. Folks, call your library today! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I know it is important to remove the information from empty medicine bottles before disposing of them. To do this, put a small amount of liquid dish detergent directly on the label and rinse under warm water while scrubbing the label with your hand until the ink disappears. You can dispose of the bottles, and no one will be able to read your medical information. Linda, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My wife reads your column in the Houston Chronicle every time it appears, and I consider the hints wonderful.

She did something for me today that was out of her own sweetness and for my comfort. I have a home-based office with a comfortable chair, except when I take off my shirt and tie (I am a country boy and do that to relax at home). The chair is inexpensive plastic, so I stick to it. I put a towel on the back, but my wife found one of my T-shirts that I rarely wear, turned the sleeves inside out and slipped it over the back of the chair. It is perfect, and if I decided to wear it, it could be washed. After almost 41 years, she is a keeper. Henry A. Stanaland, Houston

Dear Heloise: For an impromptu bottle/anything cleaner, grab your kitchen whisk, enrobe it with a dishcloth and put a rubber band around the base to hold the cloth in place. Voil °! Dennis T., San Diego

X Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate