Recycled Reads offers hardcover, paperback and children's books for discounted prices.[/caption]The Recycled Reads lease was renewed for another seven years despite consideration from some Austin City Council members to end or change the program.
The Burnet Road book shop, part of the Austin Public Library system, allows patrons, including those without library cards, to come and buy books that have been donated or pulled from the library’s shelves of Austin Public Library’s 23 locations to allow new books into circulation, said Mindy Reed, managing librarian at Recycled Reads.
Most books in the store are priced as $2 or less with the exception of collectibles, Reed said. Books can also be purchased from the online store for higher prices.
Because the store is only open four days per week and runs with three full-time employees, the biggest operational cost is the monthly rent, Reed said.
District 6 Council Member Don Zimmerman and District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo wanted to move an item that would extend Recycled Read's lease to council’s Audit and Finance Committee for further discussion before a March 26 vote. Both council members said another company or nonprofit in the city could fill the same niche without spending city money.
Gallo suggested the funding instead be used to help keep some Austin Public Library branches open more days during the week and for longer hours. She said Recycled Reads costs Austin tax payers $220,000 a year.
District 1 Council Member Ora Houston suggested the city consider relocating Recycled Reads to a city-owned property to avoid paying monthly rent.
Ultimately, Mayor Steve Adler and Council Members Kathie Tovo, Leslie Pool, Delia Garza, Sabino “Pio” Renteria and Greg Casar voted to approve a seven-year lease extension during the March 26 council meeting. Council Members Ellen Troxclair, Ora Houston, Don Zimmerman and Sheri Gallo voted against the lease renewal. Council Member Ann Kitchen was off the dais.
The 7,675-square-foot store is located at 5335 Burnet Road, and the lease cannot exceed $1,151,643—or about $164,520 a year—for the entirety of the seven-year time period.
Reed said she received a lot of support from community members in the immediate days after the council meeting. She said she is excited the renewal is approved; however, because the lease can be revisited each year, she said she is already working on an alternate plan for Recycled Reads in case the book shop again comes under scrutiny.
Recycled Reads is different from other used book stores, Reed said, because it does not put a price tag on sentimental books that are donated and instead accepts donations. The store also regularly hosts various programs, such as crafting, poetry readings and organization meetings for book clubs and writing groups.
