Barnes & Noble recently donated 1.5 million books to more than 2,000 local charities across the United States. These charaties were responsible for providing services to children during the retailer's 2013 Holiday Book Drive program. During the program, Barnes & Noble invited customers to purchase books that will be donated to charities across the country later in the month

 "For more than 20 years, Barnes & Noble customers and employees have demonstrated their holiday spirit and support for children who are less fortunate through our Holiday Book Drive," said Sarah DiFrancesco, Vice President, Business Development for Barnes & Noble.  "Thanks to the generosity of our customers, millions of books found their way into the hands of children through our relationships with local charities. The Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive is a treasured tradition for everyone in our stores and a wonderful way for customers and booksellers to give the gift of reading to local children. We were equally thrilled to make even more children happy through our partnership with the Toys for Tots Foundation."

Additionally, Barnes & Noble donated 10,000 toys and games to the Toys for Tots Foundation, which helped put smiles on many children's faces this past holiday season. Community partners have already begun distributing the books collected by Barnes & Noble booksellers to schools, libraries and social service organizations.

The retailer is trying to spread good cheer despite reporting disappointing sales figures this Holiday season. It reported revenues of $1.1 billion, decreasing 6.6% over the prior year.  The decrease was attributable to a 5.5% decline in comparable sales and store closures.  Core comparable bookstore sales, which exclude sales of NOOK products, decreased 0.2% as compared to the prior year.