[ILL-L] Canvas Mailing Bags... The sequel!

[Misty ALLEN]

Do you include a statement on the paperwork that you send with the book, that the book needs to be returned in your bag?  I often notice that items arrive without this information on the paperwork.  We try to note this on the paperwork when we receive the book, but sometimes we forget.  We mail out 30 plus packages a day, and have hundreds of items checked out to our patrons at a time.  This quantity makes it very difficult to match up your book with your bag if you do not put a note on your paperwork.  Also consider libraries that do not use the postal service.  We use UPS and only send something through the postal service when absolutely necessary.  UPS doesn't like to ship bags and their labels do not stick to the bags very well.  Often we will box up the item and bag and then send them back UPS.

Misty

Misty Allen
ILL/Media/Reserve Coordinator
Stewart Library
2901 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-2901
(801) 626-7820
mallen4 at weber.edu

>>> "Susan M. Lee" <slee at ugf.edu> 11/15/2008 12:28 PM >>>
I don't' have bags, although I would like to.  I try to return the bags,
I attach the plastic tie to the paperwork so that I know it's a bag
book.  One thing that I have noticed, is that some libraries have
barcodes on their bags and check them out like books.  They then send
out overdue notices for the bags.  

 

~~~~~
Sue

Susan Lee M.L.S.
Information Services Librarian
University of Great Falls Library
1301 20th St South
Great Falls, MT 59405

VOICE 406-791-5318
FAX 406-791-5395

http://www.ugf.edu/library/ <http://www.ugf.edu/library/> 
mailto:slee at ugf.edu <mailto:slee at ugf.edu> 

So many books, so little time

 

________________________________

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org 
[mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Rosenfeld, Jennifer
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 4:42 PM
To: ill-l at webjunction.org 
Subject: [ILL-L] Canvas Mailing Bags... The sequel!

 

Hi everyone,

 

It has been almost 2 months since we started using our canvas mailing
bags.  For the most part, it is working out great.  It saves time and
energy as well as envelopes!

 

My problem is that we have already had 5 items returned to us MINUS our
mailing bag.  I have succeeded in getting two back, have one promised to
be on the way, one is being searched for, and one library doesn't return
my phone calls.  Since we only bought 35 bags (but I recently ordered
another 20), losing 5 slows us down.  I didn't send out one item this
week because I didn't have any bags and didn't want to go and purchase
an envelope.  

 

I include instructions for canvas bag return with the ILL item..... on
fluorescent gold paper.  I tape a zip tie to the paper.  I have notes in
our constant data that print out with every record saying "please return
our canvas mailing bag!" but we're still not getting them all back!

 

I realize that some of this may be due to students boxing up ILL
returns.  I know some of our students, when faced with a situation that
is one iota different from the situations they have been trained to
handle just cannot fathom what to do.  

 

My question is, what would make it even MORE CLEAR to you, as borrowing
libraries, and to your student employees that they NEED TO RETURN OUR
ITEMS IN THE BAG!!!!!!

 

I'm just a little frustrated, because this time-saver is now leading to
multiple "where is our bag?" phone calls.  Any assistance would be
appreciated.  It should also be noted that the majority of libraries who
borrow from us are returning items perfectly, and we really appreciate
you doing so!  Thanks!

 

-Jenny

 

/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/%/% 
Jenny Rosenfeld 
Systems Librarian
Woodbury University Library 
7500 Glenoaks Blvd. 
Burbank, CA 91510-7846 

818-252-5202 
jennifer.rosenfeld at woodbury.edu