Twenty years of love for books: the story behind Books 4 Life

Twenty years of love for books: the story behind Books 4 Life

What started as a small initiative by an idealistic student grew into a large second-hand bookstore on the Tilburg University campus. Books 4 Life is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Volunteers Debby van Gendt and Jacques Buijssen share the unique stories behind the covers of second-hand books and the store itself.

Chairperson of Books 4 Life, Debby van Gendt. Image: Jack Tummers.

In the basement of the Cobbenhagen Building on the Tilburg University campus lies a hidden gem: the Books 4 Life bookstore. Here, second-hand books are sold to support charitable causes. This year, the store celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking a milestone that traces back to its founding in 2004 and opening in 2005. What began as a small idea has grown into a network of stores across the Netherlands, with locations in Nijmegen, Groningen, Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Eindhoven, and even two stores in Austria.

The origin of a unique concept

Books 4 Life originated in Tilburg thanks to Laura van Waas, a law student who discovered the concept of second-hand bookstores for charitable causes during her time in England. Inspired by her experiences there and the severe poverty she witnessed during a graduation project in Africa, Van Waas decided, together with fellow students, to start a similar store in Tilburg. With support from the university, Books 4 Life found a home in the Cobbenhagen Building.

‘The idea was clear from the start,’ says Jacques Buijssen, a volunteer and secretary who has been involved with Books 4 Life for ten years. ‘The proceeds from book sales would go to charities focused on combating poverty and promoting human rights.’ Amnesty International and Oxfam Novib were chosen as the store’s primary beneficiaries.

Since last year, the store has also supported Stichting Poels in Tilburg, an organization that provides hot meals to the homeless, as well as the Yayasan Setetes Embun foundation, which supports a village in Central Java with various projects.

The success of the concept is evident from the store’s revenue. In 2023, the Tilburg store raised an impressive €34,380, an increase from €28,680 in 2022. Nationally, the Books 4 Life stores also make a significant impact: in 2024, all locations combined donated €57,021 to Amnesty International and Oxfam Novib.

How does the store work?

The store operates entirely with the help of volunteers, with no less than 35 volunteers in Tilburg. ‘We’re all book lovers,’ says Buijssen. In weekly shifts, the team works together in small groups to keep the store running. This collaboration not only ensures smooth organization but also fosters a close-knit bond. Each year, there are gatherings such as a barbecue, where the volunteers come together to celebrate their shared passion for books and the impact of their work.

The process behind the scenes is well organized, from receiving and sorting books to setting prices and sales. ‘We have the book flow and the people flow,’ says Debby van Gendt with a laugh. She has been leading the organization as chairperson for two years and ensures a balance between daily tasks and the larger goal of Books 4 Life.

‘People bring in books or call to arrange a collection of a large number of books, such as from an estate. Some books are sold in the store, while special editions are listed on Bol.com or other platforms.’

Buijssen shows a recently sold book: ‘This is ‘Nieuwe traditie,’ a beautiful book about architecture. We listed it on Bol.com, and it brought us a nice profit. We always make sure to price it a bit lower than other sellers.’ Besides the store, there are also giveaway books available at the university, with large Books 4 Life stickers on the covers. ‘This way, we hope to increase our visibility.’

And that visibility is needed, according to the two volunteers. Although it’s ideal that they have a location on campus – the university covers all the facilities – visibility remains a challenge. The basement of the Cobbenhagen Building isn’t a place everyone just walks into. ‘Not all students know we exist,’ says Van Gendt. ‘Some visitors think we’ve just opened, even though we’ve been active for twenty years.’

The relationship with the university

Nevertheless, the booksellers are grateful to have a spot on campus. ‘Twelve years ago, we had a flood,’ says Buijssen. ‘The entire store was underwater. A huge downpour caused the water to come in through the windows.’

‘The university handled it perfectly. They hired companies to pump the water out and provided new flooring. Luckily, the books were fine because they were stored in shelves just a few centimeters off the ground. Otherwise, we would have suffered a lot of damage.’

Why is Tilburg University so welcoming? Buijssen thinks it’s because Books 4 Life fits into the concept of a socially engaged university. ‘They see, of course, that we recycle and contribute to the circular economy,’ he adds.

Donors and discoveries

The connection with book lovers is just as special as the one with the books themselves. For example, a customer once found fifty euros in a book. ‘This person decided not to keep it for themselves but to donate it to us. A beautiful gesture,’ says Van Gendt.

International students also contribute by often donating stacks of books at the end of their studies. ‘They know their books will get a second life and contribute to a good cause. That makes it extra special,’ adds Buijssen.

Prominent figures have also donated books. For instance, the widow of Albert Heijn donated a collection of books, including copies with personal inscriptions to the supermarket magnate. ‘It’s fascinating to get a glimpse into the life of someone who had such a big influence,’ says Van Gendt.

One emotional moment was the donation of books from Willem Witteveen, professor of constitutional law at Tilburg University, who tragically died in the MH17 disaster. ‘His books were full of notes, letters, and even train tickets he used as bookmarks,’ says Buijssen. ‘It was like flipping through his life.’

That Books 4 Life is more than just a store is clear to the volunteers; it’s a place where special stories come together. For example, an antique book was once left in a plastic bag at the door. ‘It was a beautiful book with a leather cover, at least seventy years old,’ Buijssen recalls. The book was auctioned on Catawiki and fetched a remarkable €1,000. ‘You wonder if the previous owner knew how valuable it was,’ he says, laughing.

Special bookcases

What makes the store special? The two U-shaped turquoise bookcases that stand in the middle of the store. Along with three other shelves, they form the name KLUUN. “We have the two U’s, you have to stand in front of them to see it,” explains Buijssen. “They were once the bookcases Kluun took across the country to promote his first book: Komt een vrouw bij de dokter.”

The bookcases ended up at the Tilburg bookstore through the Beursvloer, an initiative that was originally started in Tilburg. “Entrepreneurs donate things they want to give to charity. That’s how we were able to receive the shelves.”

Books 4 Life in Tilburg is a unique store, in a special location. With a collection of over six thousand books in the store and thirteen hundred online, the bookstore remains a paradise for readers. “Murakami and Hosseini are always popular authors,” says Buijssen. “And if you’re lucky, you’ll find a hidden gem, like a first edition of W.F. Hermans.”

Curious about the collection? Visit the store in the Cobbenhagen Building or take a look at the webshop.

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