[PADG:2270] Re: protection during campus deliveries

[Tom Teper <tteper@xxxxxxxx>]

Andy:

UIUC is using plastic totes similar to the ones that you describe for 
several functions. The one that I am most closely associated with is 
bindery prep. For transporting items from branch and departmental libraries 
outside the Main Library Building, we requested that units pack items to be 
bound into these totes (distinguishable by color and a stenciled "Binding 
Only"; grey tubs are for remote storage, etc...). Shipping and Receiving 
personnel can then pick up and deliver the tote without any required 
handling of the items, sorting the pieces from books and other items being 
routed between libraries, or otherwise concern over water damage. Once the 
totes are delivered to binding, my personnel unpack them and stack the 
empty totes. The stack takes about 6 square feet of floor space.

Of the 25 we purchased, several stay in the stack on any given day, and 
unit libraries have several that are being filled. The remainder ride as 
empties in the shipping truck to be exchanged with those in the unit 
libraries. If the units need one, they can contact Shipping, but otherwise, 
it's very hands-off for us.

We purchased some of the that we use from C&H Distributors. There is a 
picture of that item at the following link:

http://www.chdist.com/ecommerce/eComm?template=product&cust_no=&user_id=&ship_no=-1&tran_id=8&prod_id=427&parent_id=0

A more extensive line is available directly from the producer. There is a 
picture at: http://www.matehk.com.hk/orbis/htmtxt/p34.htm.

the tubs themselves are very high impact plastic, and although they have 
become a little scuffed, not one has broken in two years of daily use. 
Although a few folks had questions at first, everyone seems happy.

Hope that this helps.

Tom

At 04:36 PM 2/13/2004, you wrote:
> Our library mailroom staff find that materials traveling between the main 
> library and branches are often packed very poorly, sometimes in uncovered 
> boxes.  As a result, Preservation is getting books that are wet or 
> otherwise damaged in transit. Training for staff who pack materials is an 
> obvious first step.  Beyond that, I'm interested in hearing if anyone is 
> using some form of reusable covered plastic boxes for on-campus 
> deliveries.  If so, how well does that work?  Do staff use them as 
> intended?  Are there problems with never having enough of the boxes in the 
> right place or finding a place to store them, etc?
> Thanks,
> Andy
>
> --
> ==================================================
> Andrew Hart, Preservation Librarian
> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
> CB#3910, Davis Library
> Chapel Hill, NC 27514
> tel: (919) 962-8047
> fax: (919) 962-4450
> email: ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ==================================================

Head of Preservation
University Library
246F Main Library
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
1408 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL      61801

Telephone:      217-244-8755
Fax:            217-244-4358

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"Great minds think alike, and fools seldom differ."