ILL Delivery Changes:
New Pre-printed Slips in the New Year!
By Susan Grabski

The NMRLS Delivery Committee held its second meeting on December 1, 2005 at the Topsfield Town Library. We thank Committee Chair and Library Director, Jackie White, for hosting this meeting.

Based on our discussions at the meeting and further feedback from Eastern Connection (our delivery vendor), we have decided to go to a numeric system of labeling. While the slips are different from our current pre-printed slips, the idea of going numeric was first introduced at our annual ILL Open Houses nearly 2 years ago. The impetus behind the new numeric system comes from the sheer volume of the sort and from errors made due the similarity of many if our library/town names, i.e., Merrimac, Merrimack College, Newbury, Newburyport, etc. And, the use of pre-printed eliminates hand cramps and reduces sorting errors and time spent deciphering handwriting!

Previously, when we introduced pre-printed slips, many libraries said that they simply did not have the space for 36+ preprinted slips at their circulation desks. We believe the slips we are proposing resolve this issue. We have split the slips into NOBLE, MVLC, and Other Libraries categories. The MVLC group will have a total of 4 slips (as opposed to 35!) to pre-print. The NOBLE group will have 4 slips (as opposed to 26) to pre-print. And there is one slip for other libraries/organizations.

• MVLC Library Slips (updated 12/22/05)
  1. Slip #1
  2. Slip #2
  3. Slip #3
  4. Slip #4

• NOBLE Library Slips (updated 12/22/05)
  1. Slip #1
  2. Slip #2
  3. Slip #3
  4. Slip #4

• Other Libraries (updated 12/22/05)
  1. Slip #1 - Bishop Fenwick to U/Mass/Lowell

The Committee, as well as Eastern Connection, felt that a short timeline for implementation would work best.

• The new slips should be put into use beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006.
• The new slips should be placed on the outside of the item with the delivery location properly showing on the front of the item, NOT inside. Please attached the slip by double banding the item - one rubber band should go around the item horizontally and one around it vertically.
• Please only use a magic marker to circle the proper destination location on the new delivery slips (as shown above).
• After an introductory period, any library not labeling and packaging items correctly will have their items returned to them without being delivered. Much like any other shipping company such as UPS or the Post Office, it is important that we follow shipping standards to ensure our items are delivered properly and undamaged.

Additionally, anything in a canvas tote or any other bag MUST go into a bin. Nothing should be placed into delivery without first being placed into a bin.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Susan Grabski. You may also contact a member of the Delivery Commitee with questions. Committee members include Jackie White (Chair), Marilyn Graves, Suzanne Simmons, Ron Gagnon, Michelle Filleul, Michaela Pelletier, Cara Thissel, Cathy Page, Chris Morin, Dorothy Lafrance, Erin Apostolos, Janice Shaw, Anna Kjoss, Linda Robinson, Marie Field, Maryanne DelSalvio, Mary Saratora, and Christina Condon. NMRLS staff representatives include, Susan Grabski, Lucie Gallagher, and Greg Pronevitz.