Delivery Service

**Courier Labels & Forms

Delivery of Library Materials -  This PDF describes the Wisconsin State Delivery system.  It also describes how it works with the MINITEX network for interstate delivery of materials.

WALTCO, Inc. – In the System

 The Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) contracts with WALTCO, Inc. to provide in-system courier service to its 25 member public libraries. WVLS pays for two stops per week for non-V-Cat member public libraries and three stops per week for V-Cat member libraries. The WVLS office currently receives WALTCO pickup/delivery Monday through Friday. Through the cooperation of WVLS member public libraries some WVLS non-public libraries are able to connect with the courier service. A list of the WVLS member libraries on the courier and their delivery days can be found below. 

South Central Delivery Service – Out of the System

WVLS also contracts with the South Central Delivery Service (SCLS), out of Madison. SCLS connects Wisconsin public libraries, UW System libraries, private university and college libraries, Wisconsin Technical College libraries, public and private K-12 school libraries, government and institutional libraries, corporate libraries, and other special libraries. The Wisconsin network connects with libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota through MINITEX.

WVLS is the pick up and drop off point for all courier items going to and coming from participating libraries outside the WVLS area via the SCLS Delivery Service. The items from SCLS Delivery Service are sorted at WVLS and shipped through WALTCO to WVLS member public libraries.

For an up to date list of all Wisconsin libraries connected with the courier service, check the SCLS online list at http://www.sclsdelivery.info/.   If a library is not on the list, the items can not be sent through the courier.

The SCLS has a blog (“Get in the Van”). For current information regarding changes in the courier list, lost/found items, holiday schedules, clicking on the link http://scls.typepad.com/delivery/ will take you to the blog.

WVLS

Material being sent from one WVLS public library to another WVLS public library can be routed directly to that library. WVLS public libraries can send material to the participating WVLS non-public libraries through the participating WVLS public library.

An example: TB Scott Library in Merrill has an item for Antigo High School. The item would be labeled for Antigo High School, put into a container labeled for the Antigo High School, and put in a container labeled for Antigo Public Library. The courier does not stop at the schools, it only stops at the public library. Items should not be sent direct to any WVLS schools unless otherwise instructed.

Nicolet Technical College in Rhinelander has a separate contract with WALTCO, Inc., through their contract WVLS public libraries can send material directly to them.

WALTCO, Inc. – Out of the System

Through WALTCO, WVLS connects with Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS); MINITEX; Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS); and Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS).  A list of the IFLS libraries that WVLS libraries have direct access to, can be found below.

Supplies Needed for Sending Items via the Courier

Bubble wrap bags – Bubble bags are to be used for DVDs and Compact Discs only. You can put items going to the same library in one bubble bag. Two single DVDs or Compact Discs will fit in one bag. Place a rubber band around the bubble bag. The routing label should be on the item. When returning borrowed items from out of system it is not necessary to return them in a bubble bag. These bubble wrap bags were purchased with V-Cat funds.

Canvas bags – WVLS uses canvas bags in its courier service for materials sent between WVLS libraries on the WALTCO, Inc. courier route. Material being routed directly by WVLS libraries to libraries outside of the WVLS system should not use the WVLS canvas bags. The WVLS canvas bags should be filled so that a strain is not placed on the zipper when closed and loaded at a weight that is comfortable for lifting. These canvas bags were purchased with WVLS and V-Cat funds.

Canvas and nylon envelope style bags – WVLS uses canvas and nylon style envelope bags in its courier service for materials sent between WVLS libraries on the WALTCO, Inc. courier route. Material being routed directly by WVLS libraries to libraries outside of the WVLS system should not use the WVLS canvas bags. The WVLS envelope style bags should be filled so that a strain is not placed on the zipper when closed. These envelope style bags were purchased with WVLS and V-Cat funds. A supply of older envelope style bags were donated by the Oneida County Public Libraries.

Cardboard AV Containers - These containers are used for Compact Disc and DVDs. 

Labels - Labels for routing are available here. These labels are used to route materials to other libraries. You can print out copies as needed.

Plastic bins – WVLS uses plastic bins with flip lids for routing WVLS deposit collections within the WVLS area. These bins should only be used for WVLS deposit collections. These plastic bins were purchased with WVLS funds.

Plastic containers – WVLS has a limited supply of plastic containers with separate lids that are used for materials sent between WVLS libraries on the WALTCO, Inc. courier route. Materials being routed directly by WVLS libraries to libraries outside of the system should not be put in the WVLS plastic containers. These plastic containers were purchased with WVLS funds.

Removable Scotch tape - Use only removable Scotch tape (archival/magic tape) when affixing routing labels to library materials, tape down both ends. Regular tape will damage many of these materials.

Rubber bands - Place a rubber band around the items and routing label (or group of similar size items going to the same location) to prevent the book(s) from opening and ILL request slips from falling out. Make sure that rubber bands are large and loose enough that the library material isn’t damaged.

If you run out of bubble bags or shipping containers contact Kathy Leitza at kleitza@wvls.lib.wi.us  (715-261-7257).

Guidelines

SCLS

Check the SCLS Delivery Service list ( http://www.sclsdelivery.info/ ) to make sure that the library is on the courier system. If the library is not on the list do not send it through the courier, send it via another source (example: USPS).

Best Practices for Library Staff -  This PDF of the “best practices” is designed to help libraries effectively use delivery services. 

Label the items with the appropriate routing slip. Use the labels from here

 SCLS Pink Slip Instructions

Step 1
Make sure the library is a member of the Delivery Network.

Step 2
Fill-in the For: on the pink intersystem routing label.
Use the left-hand column from Delivery Network Member of the Wisconsin Libraries' Delivery Network list.

Step 3
Fill-in the To: on the pink intersystem routing label.
Use the right-hand column from the System Delivery Hub of the Wisconsin Libraries' Delivery Network list.

When shipping items in place of the SCLS pink slip, printouts of the WisCat interlibrary loan (ILL) shipping form can be used as a routing label for shipping. The forms are designed to make it easy for delivery staff to read the To and From information.   

When returning items in place of the SCLS pink slip, printouts of the WisCat ILL return form can be used in place of the SCLS pink slip for the return label. The forms are designed to make it easy for delivery staff to read the To and From information.  

Use only removable Scotch tape for attaching routing labels. Both ends of the label should be taped down. Regular tape can damage items.  

Place a rubber band around the items and the routing label. You can group similar size items going to the same library. Make sure that rubber bands are not too tight because they could cause damage. Do not form bundles that are over 4 inches high. Avoid creating pyramid bundles, they waste space and break rubber bands.

WALTCO, Inc.

Place WALTCO items for other WVLS public libraries, IFLS and other direct libraries in separate containers. WALTCO will drop these items off at the appropriate library. This is the list of direct routing libraries: 

Indianhead Federated Library System 

• Ogema Public Library
• Park Falls Public Library
• Phillips Public Library

Containers sent via courier must be labeled so that our courier drivers can effectively sort these containers for the correct libraries.  

Materials for WVLS and out-of-system libraries not on direct routing can go in the same container since they are being routed to the WVLS office for sorting. 

If you don’t have a container for sending materials you can use a box or jiffy bag labeled for the library you are sending the items to. When attaching the routing label to the box or jiffy bag, use regular scotch tape and cross out any previous destinations. 

Fill out the WALTCO, Inc. shipping manifest. These documents are important for tracking the containers that are shipped and give an accurate number of containers shipped throughout the WVLS system.  At the end of each month, send your copy of the shipping manifests to the Attention:  Audrey Rochon at WVLS.

Contacts 

If your library runs out of the WALTCO, Inc. shipping manifest or Brenda Roberts at email address:  brenda.roberts@waltcoinc.com

If your library has a lost item that was sent to libraries in the WVLS System put a message on the WVLS listserv at wiscvalleylib-all@warden.wiscnet.net

If your library has a lost item that was sent out of the system,  to put it on the "SCLS Lost in Delivery” list at:   http://www.sclsdelivery.info/laflist.htm

If you have any questions or problems regarding the courier service or the above information, contact the compiler: Juanita Thomas at jathomas@wvls.lib.wi.us (715-261-7258).

This page was last Updated January 03, 2012

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