Could a "books by mail" save service UK libraries?

Photo: Peter Dreisiger, Flickr

A few weeks ago I posted about problems within the UK Library System and how U.S. libraries seemed good, ready despite similar budgetary problems.

The U.S. initiatives which I was particularly fascinated was one of the "books by mail" service where books direct to your door werden.Ich posted originally thought that this was a luxury service only for granted by wealthy libraries but after I fixed it all libraries reach could a little research, I think this service and it could be the key to increase the use of UK library.

.

The library user calls a book about the online library catalogue.The library the book directly on the home address of read user.When posts, the book you can return it by post at his own expense or take back to the library.

Library opening hours are reduced all the time and so it is always difficult for the public in the library remains, especially when life is easier for busy people a full time job during the normal Bürozeiten.Alles making gut.Es would be especially useful to people with mobility problems, but I think everyone would love this service.

It would encourage more people that use library.

The positive press would be fantastic. It would show that libraries are ready time move, listening to the needs of their customers and offer a fast, convenient service that is suitable for everyone.

It would mean that your library, creating a larger network of people would love more people willing to support it.

It allows libraries to direct mail customers, letting people know about future events or initiatives happy customers are more likely to respond to such mailings and events grow so library.

No!

Post-Royal Mail Pack costs £ 1.38 plots with an average weight of less than 500 g to senden.Aus of my book sale experience I would guess that it would cost less than £ 1.50 an item - much less when people several books am sure a lot of people would be willing to pay a small fee for the convenience of having delivered a book at your door, but I want at the same time angefordert.Ich this service free of charge provided, to see all.

This could be achieved by to pay advertisers for plane within the packages.

Another option would be the opening hours of the library to reduzieren.Wenn all books directly to you can be sent home, then reduce the need for the library all day open it.I am sure that most people would accept a small decline in the library opening hours helping figures for this enhanced service.

Burlington County Library introduced a "books by mail" service in June 2008.Es was so successful, the system has since been rolled out to several other neighbouring library systems.

Send many packages as you do every day?

Since the project development in 2008, 38 packages per day is the average, but in the last eight months this has increased to 48.

The largest daily, 60 was in February 2010.

How much do you spend last year on deliveries and Porto?

$4081 to supplies (nylon bags, padded envelopes and labels)

$42,387.23 on Porto

Thats $2.56 per package, or $1.09 per item.

How much time each day is dedicated to the process?

An average of four hours per day is spent, check out and packaging.

I found these figures very ermutigend.Es makes it possible sound and I'll see if my local library is this schema receptive for commissioning.

Remember "Books by mail" service in the UK would work?

Would be willing to pay for the convenience?

Would it more often encourage use the library?

A special thanks to Peter Bromberg from Princeton public library's e-Mail service for me to convince the books by email service is a wonderful thing!

View the original article here