HCL/ACF Industries Partnership to Process Library Materials

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

After the recent economic crisis, many local governments found themselves cutting jobs and finding ways to save money. As is the case with many counties, county libraries were some of the most innovative departments in regards to saving money and increasing productivity. In Hennepin County, the local library system engaged in a partnership with the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation to utilize Adult Corrections Facility residents to process library books. Through the program, the partnership provides valuable work experience to residents who volunteer to participate in the program. The residents are paid for the work they perform as they provide needed support to the library in getting books processed and into circulation as quickly as possible. Workers sort through new books to apply bindings and organize books for shipment to the libraries. Through this program, Hennepin County libraries are now more organized, competent, and efficient. In 2011, the program processed 282,652 books, more than half of the total number of new books. This volume is equal to the output of three full-time staff members which would otherwise be assigned to the handling department. The cost to perform the work by library employees would have been $100,335, indicating the cost-effectiveness of this program. Through the initiative, the library saved nearly $50,000 by partnering with the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation.