[PADG:755] Re: rainy day bags for circulating materials

[Tom Teper <tteper@xxxxxxxx>]

Andy:

UIUC first ordered some bags in 2002. Since that first order, we have mode 
only one more purchase. I've done what I can to respond to your questions 
below. If you have more questions or want a sample, drop me a line.

Tom

> Approximately how many bags do you go through per year?

Our first order was in 3/02 and our second was in 11/04. During that time, 
we went through 10,000 bags. That equals about 526 per month. Although this 
does not account for renewals, etc..., UIUC completed 1.2 million 
transactions in 2001.

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

The original distribution was 150 bags to each of the 40 unit libraries and 
2,000 each to the Main Stacks and Undergraduate Library. I'm sure that the 
distribution varies based upon the desk staff, etc..., but in most cases it 
is only when it is actively precipitating, and (1) when the patron has no 
backpack, (2) when the patron has too much to handle in their bag, or (3) 
when requested.

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

The bags are 18"x18"x5" by 2.0 mil HD-polyurethane.

Janway is the producer (www.janway.com). The catalog number (from their 
website) is #1-HD-18185-2. The bags are printed in one color on one side 
only. We worked with them at the Library's Development Office's 
recommendation. By and large, both parties have been happy with their work.

There was an artwork set-up fee of $125 that kicked up the price on the 
first order. The initial order of 10,000 in March 2002 cost us $1,264.58 
(w/o shipping). We ordered 15,000 in early November 2004 for $2,666.55 
(including shipping and a hefty increase in petrol prices). The shipping is 
surprisingly expensive, but the bags are fairly inexpensive when compared 
to the time taken to dry items, etc.... The vendor can only guarantee the 
print run within +/- 15%. So, our second order was a bit larger due to an 
overrun.

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

We designed the artwork ourselves. It was based upon some clipart, etc... 
with the Library's imprint and "A Wet Book is an Unhappy Book" printed 
below the image. Very low overhead. We are paying a little more for the 
bags (they are much more substantial than grocery bags that tend to tear 
when they encounter things like corners, edges, weight, or actual 
contents), but I am gratified with the frequent number of times I have seen 
folks reusing them on campus.

Moreover, they have been a great PR move for us both in terms of our 
patrons and in terms of our librarians. Occasionally, we have used them for 
"gift bags" during meetings, etc... in the library, and they have always 
been well received. Again, a small cost for some good PR.


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