“We’re just not throwing things out anymore.”
That’s how Rudi Traichel, UBC Library’s Technical Services Librarian, refers to the bottom-line value of the Library’s partnership with Better World Books, a company that links libraries with literacy organizations.
Better World Books takes donations of duplicates and worn, low-use books from libraries and other institutions. Through an innovative business model, the materials are assessed and distributed through one of three channels: they are donated to leading literacy initiatives around the world; sold through online booksellers; or recycled – for those materials that cannot be donated or sold.
Since first joining up in 2009, the Library has sent approximately 13,000 books to the company. Traichel led the Library’s initial foray into a partnership with Better World Books during a large branch move that necessitated taking a sober last look at discarded items. Since then, he has developed guidelines and supported other Library units sending materials to Better World Books.
UBC Library’s contributions to Better World Books support Room to Read, a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. The Library also receives a percentage of sales from those books that are not suitable for donation to a literacy partner. Environmental impact reports from Better World Books allow organizations to measure how their participation is helping the environment; nothing is sent to a landfill.
The Museum of Anthropology, UBC Bookstore and UBC Okanagan are also contributors to Better World Books, demonstrating a common desire at UBC to build a sustainable future. Traichel points to the teamwork of multiple Library staff members in supporting the program: “This is a different way for us to re-imagine our collections and what our users need.”