The textbook lending program is administered by the school authority on behalf of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The textbook warehouse serves as the logistical hub for collecting returned textbooks at the end of the school year, receiving new shipments, and assembling and distributing textbook packages to schools in Mainz.

Since the 2024–25 school year, the school board has been organizing these tasks independently. In the second year of independent operation, procedures were further improved and processes optimized. Last school year, the textbook lending program succeeded in providing students with nearly all the learning materials they needed by the fall break.

“The textbook lending program is far more than just a logistical task. It ensures that all students, regardless of their financial situation, are provided with the necessary learning materials and can get off to a good start in the new school year. The fact that our school district has now successfully taken charge of this demanding task on its own and is continuously improving the processes is a remarkable achievement. My heartfelt thanks go to all staff members as well as the numerous temporary workers who contribute to this success with great dedication,” explains Ata Delbasteh, Director of Schools.

During the busy months from June through September, a total of 21 temporary staff members support the school textbook warehouse team. Among other tasks, they handle the return of textbooks, process new deliveries, and pack and prepare shipments for delivery to the schools. The assembly of textbook packages begins in the fourth week of summer break to give the contracted bookstores sufficient time to deliver the ordered books. Delivery to the schools takes place during the last two weeks of summer break.

Despite careful planning, it is not always possible to guarantee that all students will have their textbooks by the first day of school. The main reasons for this include delivery delays at individual publishers, as well as last-minute school transfers or late registrations for the textbook loan program. By regularly reviewing demand and placing reorders, the school district responds flexibly to new needs as they arise.

Textbook packages are delivered to secondary schools by a contracted transportation company. Elementary schools are supplied by staff members of the school district office.

The school district will continue to refine the textbook lending processes in the future. In addition, it is evaluating suitable alternatives to the current warehouse location should the need arise in the future.