Recycled Reads transition timeline highlights Jan. 17 closure

In a news release, the library announced the Recycled Reads location at 5335 Burnet Road, Austin will officially close in January. Community members will be able to visit the location until Jan. 17.

The timeline for the upcoming transitions is as follows:

• Dec. 31: final day to drop off donations at Recycled Reads and check out/borrow items from the Tool Library collection
• Jan. 2: new maximum donation volumes go into effect at all Austin Public Libraries
• Jan. 17: last day Recycled Reads is open to the public
• February: Recycled Reads materials will start to be sold at Austin Public Libraries

Austin Public Library was established in 2009 as a means to support the city’s Zero Waste Plan. Materials in sellable condition were sent to the used bookstore location to keep them out of landfills and give the public an opportunity to purchase them.

All materials which were deemed unsellable or unsold were sent to Goodwill Central Texas to have their binding removed and be recycled.

In each of the bookstore’s last two fiscal years, the lease and operational costs of Recycled Reads exceeded sales revenue by over $400,000, as stated in the news release.

As a means to reduce costs and make used materials more accessible citywide, the library system decided to close the singular location and instead begin offering permanent used book sales throughout all city library locations.

• Closing Jan. 17
• 5335 Burnet Road, Austin
• https://library.austintexas.gov/recycled-reads-bookstore