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Clive library shifts book disposal to ThriftBooks, cites staff time savings and modest revenue
Summary
Leisure-services staff presented a process change sending donated and weeded library books to ThriftBooks, reducing storage and staffing needs; the library reported about $2,300 revenue last year and $114 so far this year from the partnership.
Stephanie, a leisure-services staff member, told the council the library has moved most donated and weeded books to an online vendor, ThriftBooks, which scans ISBNs and determines whether to accept titles for resale.
The change, Stephanie said, cut staff time and freed meeting space previously used for annual book-sale setup. “We've used them for two years and we saw a little amount of money come in on the first year. Last year was $2,300 and we're ecstatic with that. This year so far we have received $114,” she said. She described the workflow: staff box marked-in titles, ship by FedEx when six boxes accumulate, and receive monthly payments for online sales.
Council members praised the operational gains. One member noted the library no longer needs four full-time staff to run a weeklong sale and that meeting rooms remain available for public use during sales periods. Stephanie said donated items from the public are evaluated for the collection, the corner book sale, or for ThriftBooks, and that most scanned titles are accepted.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation. Staff said they will continue monitoring revenue and operational savings as the program continues.
