[OPLINLIST] priority dispatch-overdue materials

[Anne Lowery]

We have been fighting with the State Library and Priority Dispatch just 
about from day 1. They are not very responsive and the State Library has 
already extended their contract, so good luck getting any results. I 
have received the lecture about what a great bargain this all is for our 
patrons several times. I also found out that the State Library does 
receive credit from Priority for missed delivery dates; however, SLO 
says they spend the money on "shipping supplies" rather than pass the 
credit back to the individual library.

We have been paying for three day per week delivery and lucky to receive 
two. I have already informed SLO that we will be reducing our contracted 
service to two days per week with the new contract. Priority can't even 
tell me what two days per week they CAN delivery to us, but at least our 
expenditure will reflect the level of service.

All of that said, I'm not sure how items can be overdue while in 
transit. I would think that the "due date" should be triggered when the 
item is checked in at the lending library, not when it is placed in 
transit.  If THAT were the case, our patrons would be accruing fines 
every time they borrow something via ILL. This is yet another reason why 
we are moving towards "fine free."

I won't go so far to say the SLO is DEAF to our concerns, but they don't 
seem to be having any success addressing them and I am very unhappy that 
they are spending our money on shipping supplies instead of returning it 
to the paying library. They don't seem to understand what a significant 
expense the delivery contract is for us little guys.

Anne Lowery, MLIS
Director
New London Public Library
67 S. Main St.
New London, OH  44851
(419) 929-3981
(419) 929-0007 (fax)
www.newlondonpubliclibrary.org

On 5/29/2013 9:40 AM, Sandy Thaxton wrote:
> Good morning!
>
>
> When I get a shipment from Priority Dispatch, most of the items are 
> already at least _*3*_ _*weeks overdue*_ on arrival. So I give them to 
> our patron for 10-14 days, and they are then 5 weeks overdue before I 
> send them back. We are habitually late sending things back and it's 
> not our fault.
>
> So I apologize to the lending libraries, and wonder if anyone else is 
> having the same problem? I have already made contact with Priority 
> Dispatch with no results.
>
> Sandy
>
>
> -- 
> Sandy Thaxton
> Sandy Thaxton
> Head of Reference
> MLJ-Hardin Co. Dist. Library
> Kenton, OH 43326
> 419-673-2278
>
>
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