Delivery Network
Northern Waters Library Service contracts with Action Logistics for delivery and connects to South Central Library System’s delivery service through WaltCo, Inc. The South Central delivery service connects to all other library courier services in Wisconsin.
The delivery network consists of Wisconsin public libraries, UW System libraries, private university and college libraries, public and private K-12 school libraries, government and institutional libraries, corporate and other special libraries. Also part of the network is MINITEX, which connects us with libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Delivery Network Members List
When routing items outside of the NWLS area, refer to the regularly updated online Delivery Network Members List. Send items by U.S. mail to libraries not on the Delivery Network Members List.
Delivery Service Best Practices for Library Staff 2008
The "best practices" are designed to help libraries effectively use delivery services and can be viewed as a pdf.
Delivery Contacts
When your library is closed (for holidays other than those listed below, snow days, etc.), please notify Linda Bailen At NWLS by email or telephone. If Linda is out, contact Jim Staelens by email at jim.staelens@gmail.com. Contact NWLS if you need changes made to your delivery schedule or if you have any problems with the delivery service.
Lost Items
Borrowed Materials
The requesting library is responsible for borrowed materials.
Wisconsin follows the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, as published by the American Library Association. Under Responsibilities of the Requesting Library, section 4.9, "The requesting library is responsible for borrowed material from the time it leaves the supplying library until it has been returned to and received by the supplying library. This includes all material shipped directly to and/or returned by the user. If damage or loss occurs, the requesting library is responsible for compensation or replacement, in accordance with the preference of the supplying library."
Lost in Delivery List
South Central Library System’s “Lost in Delivery List” offers librarians the opportunity to post items lost in the delivery.
Schedule
South Central Library System provides delivery schedules on the new Delivery Networks Members List.
Supplies
Interdepartmental envelopes are available from NWLS for sending light items.
Reusable cloth NWLS bags are only available for sending items to NWLS area libraries. Please return extra bags and envelopes to NWLS. All items sent in the delivery should be packaged, and multiple items for one library can be packaged together in one bag. If you are low on bags, label single items and send them without a bag. If you have multiple items for one library you could also place the items in another type of bag or box, and fasten a label on the outside.
An open bin, tub, or cardboard box can be used to contain the packages for Action Logistics. Bins or tubs can also be used for sending large items or many items to one location. If bins or boxes are used to send a shipment to one library, be sure to label the top of the bin clearly and tape the edges of the bin to keep it from opening during delivery.
Pink routing slips, secured with removable tape, are used to route items outside of the NWLS area. A routing slip template is available for making copies.
Removable tape is necessary to secure routing slips on items. Do not use regular Scotch tape, since it will damage the surfaces of books and other items
Rubber bands are needed to secure the items routed with pink slips. When batching more than one item for the same location, please use 2 rubber bands (one in each direction).
Routing
NWLS member libraries – Send directly to the library
Phelps School – Label with school name and send to Phelps Public Library.
CESA 12 schools – Label with school name and send to NWLS.
MINITEX – Use a WISCAT shipping label if possible. Otherwise use a pink routing slip and mark it with TO: NWLS / FOR: MINITEX and send to NWLS.
Wisconsin libraries outside of NWLS - Use a WISCAT shipping label if possible. Otherwise use a pink routing slip and send all to NWLS.
As a Lender: All items you loan must be identified with your library’s name and address, and sent with a copy of the WISCAT shipping slip, ILL request, or Merlin transit slip.
Packaging
Place items for each library in a bag or container labeled with the library town rather than the library name.
NWLS Delivery Labels (pdf)
Labeling exceptions: Label Bad River as Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles as Lac Courte Oreilles, Madeline Island as Madeline Island, Ashland PL as Vaughn, Ashland, and Northern Waters as NWLS, Ashland.
CESA 12 Schools
Label items with school name and send to NWLS. Participating CESA 12 schools are: Ashland; Bayfield; Glidden; Hayward; Hurley; Maple; Mellen; Northwood School-Minong; Solon Springs; South Shore-Port Wing; Superior; and Washburn.
Libraries Outside of NWLS
Check the Delivery Network Members List and send all items for delivery network members to NWLS. If you use WISCAT ILL, please use WISCAT shipping slips as routing slips, otherwise tape a pink delivery network routing slip onto the item with removable tape and secure with a rubber band horizontally (see example). The library name written on second line of the routing slip should be as it appears in the Delivery Network Members List. If a library is not on the list, the item must be sent by U.S. mail.
WiLS and UW-System Libraries
Use peach academic routing slips and send items to NWLS.
Delivery News
For the latest delivery network news, refer to Get In The Van: News and Items of Interest for the Wisconsin Libraries' Delivery Service Network Members.