Several recent announcements about regional library delivery services have brought attention to this essential service at the local and statewide level.
The NMRLS Delivery Committee has asked members of MVLC to experiment with eliminating the packaging of materials shipped in delivery when feasible. Committee Chair Jackie White has asked her MVLC colleagues to try it out and report back on the effects. The statewide delivery consultants recommended minimizing packaging to save libraries time. We understand that the tradeoff between saving times and damaged items must be investigated. NMRLS is looking at some new alternatives for CD cases to reduce that type of damage.
The NMRLS Delivery Committee is forming a subcommittee to look at ergonomics and efficiency within this region. If you are interested in participating, please let us know.
The Massachusetts Statewide Delivery Committee (MSDC) announced a Barcode Placement Policy on January 31st. The Committee is asking all libraries that participate in regional delivery to place barcodes on the top-left front cover of items. There are several reasons for setting a standard and several reasons that this location was chosen. For example:
- standardization of the location will allow for automated sorting in the future and will speed up all library circulation transactions;
- the front cover placement will reduce confusion and multiple scanning of preprinted barcodes often found on the back cover.
We ask for your cooperation. The policy, the reasoning behind, and more details about the policy are available at www.nmrls.org/msdc.
MSDC is calling for participation on three working groups to plan for a new generation of regional delivery services. Let me know if you have any questions or are interested in participating.
Statewide Working Groups
- Establish working group to assist libraries with ergonomic issues, include showcase of good practices, workshops, and best practices
- Establish working group to develop standard delivery code system and labeling
- Investigate establishment of a single, automated, central sort for all regions
Delivery Focus Groups
The MSDC is sponsoring focus groups around the Commonwealth to gather input from all types of libraries. The information gathered will provide input to the process. NMRLS members (and others) are invited to attend a focus group at NMRLS on March 9th at 1:00 pm. Please visit our site to register - Click here!.
