Tony Silva

Homeschool Library Builder
http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com

800-718-7986

It may seem out of character for a Web site like FamilyMentors.com that has its own online store to recommend another store, but we couldn’t resist sharing the Homeschool Library Builder with you. The builder promises to fill your bookshelves without emptying your wallet and their regular prices do seem to keep that promise. However, Homeschool Library Builder goes beyond providing a great value for their customers; they offer a variety of services to organizations and charities as well. HSLB’s niche is used books and publisher remainders, so their discounts are worth making them an early stop on your next Internet shopping trip.

Getting Around

The site is easy to get around. Guests can “browse the stacks” the way one would at any good used bookstore. There is a simple search tool on each page. In short, the site works like any other online bookstore. But there is more….

The content and condition of the books are well described. If you have any question about what is meant by a book’s cited condition, there is a link on each product description to clarify this. Information is complete and detailed. Our only quibble is that the book descriptions do not usually include an International Standard Book Number, or ISBN so you can easily compare with other retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Checking out can be a bit cumbersome. Click on a “Buy Now” button and it seems like nothing happens. Your book has been placed in the shopping cart as expected. In some cases, you’ll see a “Out of Stock” notice after putting an item in your shopping cart. This can be deceptive. In many cases, a book is a one-of-a-kind item, so once it’s in your cart, it’s displayed as “Out of Stock”. If you decide not to buy it, the book displays as normal. You have to look for the shopping cart. It’s text option on the menu bar at the top of the Web page. The check-out page requests the usual information and provides an opportunity to subscribe to their newsletter. If you already have an account, you can save a little time by clicking on the link for existing members. If you have trouble checking out, call them directly and they will place the order for you by hand. Try that at one of the virtual big box stores.

It’s Not All Shopping

My favorite page is “Spotlight on the Season”. Here you’ll find scripture passages, lesson plans and links to other sites that focus on the season at hand. In our case, HSLB featured links related to Thanksgiving. You can browse through the links and choose a craft or learn about Thanksgiving traditions like the pumpkin or the historical importance of the holiday. Some of the links take you directly to selected seasonal products on other sites, saving HSLB guests time and hassle of searching on their own. Some of this information is also provided in the monthly newsletter.

Membership Has its Privileges

Take the time to sign up and become a member. Site members get additional savings through a rewards program that awards a “Book Point” for each dollar spent. Fifteen “Book Points” is equal to a dollar in your HSLB account. You can extend your savings through HSLB’s “Share the Savings” program. With “Share the Savings,” members can earn additional “Book Points” by referring friends to the site. Another benefit of membership is the additional “Book Points” members earn when they schedule fundraisers with the site. See “Fun Raising” below for more detail.

Social Responsibility – Homeschool Style

Homeschool Library Builder calls their social responsibility program, “Helping Hand”. The owners say, “Through the Helping Hand program we have had the opportunity to raise money for those in need, such as a young autistic boy living near the Alaskan wilderness who needed a service dog, or the victims from the Chinese earthquakes or the Gulf hurricanes. We have a specially designated category of books whereby all money goes to helping others. Oftentimes HSLB matches the amount raised for a particular cause.”

Purchases in the “Operation Christmas Child” category help raise funds for Samaritan’s Purse to fill shoe boxes for children in need. Operation Christmas Child sends these love packages to children all over the world to share the love of Christ – and the timeless Gospel message at Christmas time. Proceeds from all items in the category go to this “Helping Hand” project.

Fun Raising

Unlike most online bookstores, Homeschool Library Builder provides opportunities for organizations to raise funds by selling books. The site takes care of the details and provides all the materials needed for a fundraising project. Since their fundraisers are geared to a coupon code system, it doesn’t matter how large your group is. You promote book sales using the code and your organization earns between 20% and 40% of the proceeds. Here’s the “fun” part: If you become a member before scheduling your organization’s fundraiser, you can also earn book points good toward your own future purchases.

Free Market(ing) Economics

If you have a product or service that might benefit other guests at the Homeschool Library Builder site, you can submit it and possibly receive some free publicity. Skeptics will ask how much this free service costs. The site owners assured us it actually costs $0.00. Of course, you would have to pay the postage. Before they will recommend a product or service, they need to review it to make sure it will serve their community. Submitted products are not returned. If they promote your product, you agree to offer their customers a 10% discount. Lest anyone see that as a “hidden cost”, consider that most of us already discount our goods and services 10% anyway. A creative entrepreneur can make this kind of program work well with no upfront costs.

What About Service?

We did not have time to complete an order with HSLB before publishing this article. However, when we order from them, we’ll do a follow-up. In our correspondence with the site (via ), we have been impressed with the responsiveness.

Overall, the Homeschool Library Builder has the look and feel one would expect of a site built by and for busy homeschoolers who are looking for bargains on great used or remaindered books. You may get quality value and service from one of those large online stores, but there is something they cannot provide: passion. Julie Huffman and Gayla Weatherford, the owners say they have a love of great books and a desire to help fellow homeschool parents. And it shows.

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