Libraries bindery service efficient and price competitive

17 April 2007

Christchurch City Libraries operate a bindery service that is efficient and price competitive within the commercial environment, says City Council Community Services General Manager Stephen McArthur.

"A review of the bindery services has found Christchurch City Libraries bindery service is already efficient and cost-effective."

He says the bindery review was signalled as part of the deliberations on the Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-16 with Council looking to outsource the operation to save up to $50,000 in operating expenditure.

"The service was benchmarked against other similar library bindery services and on average the cost of book repairs was found to be 50% cheaper and staff operational costs 27% lower."

Mr McArthur says the review sought Registrations of Interest from all 16 commercial printers/bindery operators throughout the South Island.

"The review concluded that there would be minimal or no cost savings gained from outsourcing the libraries bindery operation and that the status quo should remain."

He says Christchurch City Libraries will continue to look for cost savings within its operation.