[PADG:753] rainy day bags for circulating materials

[Andrew Hart <ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've seen rainy day bags for circulating materials, often printed with 
library info or a preservation message, at a number of libraries over 
the years. I'd like to follow this example at UNC and I could use some 
background info from peer libraries. If your library uses plastic bags, 
I'm interested in your thoughts on the following questions.

Approximately how many bags do you go through per year? 

Do circulation staff always offer or provide bags? Only on rainy days? 
When requested?

What kind do you use? (general design and variety of plastic -- or a 
manufacturer and product number)

Is there anything you wish you had done differently or that you are 
particularly pleased about?

If your library has bags but you're not involved with design, ordering, 
or use guidelines, please suggest someone I could write to.

There was an exchange on the DistList some years ago about re-using 
grocery bags. While this is a nice idea for environmentalism and 
frugality, I'm most interested in information about bags ordered new for 
the library. In addition to keeping materials dry, I'd like to make sure 
the bags are clean and also take advantage of the PR/marketing 
opportunity of custom printing.

Thanks,
Andy

--
Andrew Hart
Preservation Librarian
CB#3910, Davis Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
Tel. 919-962-8047
Fax 919-962-4450
Email: ashart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx