We had already counted when presenting the Mapfre Foundation call to offer scholarships for the acquisition of textbooks for the next course, which are happening different initiatives to provide families with children of school age, ways to get books They will use during the course.
On previous occasions we have presented projects to buy used books at a good price, and even to rent them. But today I would like to share information about a portal that has been opened in order to facilitate the exchange of books for reuse, is promoted by the Department of Education of the Generalitat Valenciana. This is what parents do at the door of the school ('can you ask your daughter's teacher if next year they will keep the fifth year books? Yes, they will do it? Then, could you give them to me? leave?'). In truth, many families come uphill (or find it impossible) to spend 200 euros per child (we talk about Primary kids), and it is worth it that we all learn to conserve school materials better, and to look a little for others.
'Llibrey' is the first online platform for exchanging textbooks in the Valencian Community, This is a social network for the free reuse of books, and has been jointly created by SOS Escolar y la Consellería.
It is a tool with which parents can offer, search, locate and receive textbooks over the Internet. According to the head of Education of the Valencian Government, 'a family has the option to request books in the same center, in their locality or throughout the Community
This is how Llibrey works
The families they can both sign up to donate and receive books. When you want to offer material you must select the student's center, enter the books offered with the title, the editorial, the course, the subject and the ISBN code and its conservation status, as well as the comments that the family considers relevant .
To receive, parents must indicate to the system the books they request and the platform will automatically search for matches and show them to the family.
In this sense, it will also be the same platform that will put both parties in contact via email to carry out the exchange.
In addition, once the two families have agreed to the exchange, the system will keep the copy reserved for a period of seven days
The exchange can be made between members of the same center or between families from different centers of the autonomous territory, so, as the Consellera has indicated, "It saves the distance barrier and allows an easy book exchange that reduces annual spending on school supplies".
As the Consellera says, the platform will work better the more awareness there is, because that will imply a greater volume of books to exchange. Now, let's not forget that it shouldn't be a substitute for private and community initiatives, although Llibrey is welcome, because Many parents find it frankly difficult to find time to interact with others.
Of course, in the line of active participation in the Platform, I think it will be a sign of good functioning, that there is an acceptable exchange movement within each educational center, because otherwise, it could be that the books that a child needs have You have to look for them 200 kilometers away. Like everything, success will depend on the push that the Administration gives, and on the collaboration of families and educational centers, time will tell.
By the way, it is also true that the Ministry suspended this same course that ends direct aid for books (the so-called book bonus), and instead called scholarships that have not yet been paid. That's why my last reflection is aimed at I like the idea that books are reused as a measure of saving, respect for the environment, and helping studentsHowever, I would not like to think that this is the definitive step for the autonomous administration to stop providing assistance to families for this concept.
Images | Ryan Somma, Llibrey Via | CECE Generalitat Valenciana More information | Llibrey In Peques and More | The average expected increase in the price of textbooks is 2.39% compared to the previous year
