draft recommendation re Recycled Reads Bookstore — original pdf

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1 of 2 Austin Public Library Commission: Recycled Reads Working Group: RECOMMENDATION 20190826-5a: The Future of Recycled Reads Date: August 26, 2019 Subject: The Future of Recycled Reads Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Support for a collaboration between Recycled Reads and Austin Resource Recovery that would reduce overlap of functions and share space. Description of Recommendation to Council The Austin Public Library Commission recommends that the city work with the Austin Public library staff to develop a plan for Recycled Reads to collaborate with Austin Resource Recovery in order to efficiently and effectively recycle books and media. This would include sharing space with Austin Resource Recovery at ARR’s eventual new location. Rationale: For ten years, Recycled Reads at 5335 Burnet Rd. has been operating as a repository for processing and selling materials donated by the public and withdrawn from the Austin Public Library’s collection. For a number of years, sales have been stagnant, donations have increased, and Recycled Reads has been operating at a significant loss ($200,000 annually). Recycled Reads rental lease on Burnet Rd. expires in March 2022. Recycled Reads space is more than 7000 sq. ft., yet it only requires 2500 sq. ft. to process and sell materials. APL staff have expressed a desire for Recycled Reads programming and sellable materials to be distributed to the various APL branches to ensure accessibility to programs and used books/media across the city. From 2012-2017, Recycled Reads received a stipend per tonnage from Austin Resource Recovery (up to $60,000), which it no longer receives. Recycled Reads performs a similar service for the Austin community as Austin Resource Recovery by recycling books and media and has diverted more than 3000 tons of materials from the landfill. Recycled Reads sends 40 percent of public donations and 70 percent of APL’s withdrawals to Goodwill for recycling because Recycled Reads is unable to sell the material due to multiple copies or condition of the material.  2 of 2 Recycled Reads staff spends a considerable amount of time receiving and sorting items that Austin Resource Recovery could receive and process more efficiently. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sign]