Our library team works hard to get new books into your hands as quickly as possible. But recently, you may have noticed that some new titles are taking a bit longer to arrive.
We want to explain why – and reassure you that we’re doing everything we can to keep materials moving.
What’s Going On?
- Ongoing Supply Chain Issues
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers around the world have had trouble getting the materials they need. For the book world, this means things like paper, ink, and adhesives may not always be available on time.
- These shortages used to be rare, but have become much more common.
- Even small delays in printing can slow down the entire process.
Recent tariffs have added another layer. While most library books are printed in the U.S., many of the materials used to create them come from other countries. When those costs increase, production and shipping can slow down.
2. Slower, More Expensive Shipping
Shipping costs have gone up in recent years. To save money, some vendors now wait to send out larger combined shipments rather than smaller, more frequent ones.
This means:
- Books may take longer to leave the warehouse.
- Our Technical Processing team sometimes receives very large shipments all at once and must work through them before items can reach branches. They are incredible, efficient problem-solvers – but even the best teams need time to process unusually large batches.
3. The Sudden Closure of a Major Book Supplier
This year, one of the nation’s biggest library book suppliers, Baker & Taylor, closed unexpectedly. They served about two-thirds of public libraries in the U.S.
NCW Libraries does not rely heavily on Baker & Taylor, but many library systems do. As they search for new vendors, demand has surged at Ingram, the supplier we primarily use.
This extra strain means:
- Longer wait times across the entire library world.
- A ripple effect that may last several months to a year.
Based on past disruptions, we expect things to improve. But, it will take time for the system to adjust.
What This Means for You
All of these factors together have created delays that you may notice when placing holds or waiting for new releases. These challenges aren’t permanent. We are actively monitoring the situation to keep materials moving as quickly as possible.
Our staff remains committed to getting books, movies, and other materials to you, as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your patience , understanding, and continued support for public libraries in North Central Washington. We appreciate you.
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