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for all things related to COVID-19 and CLiC.

Guidance During a Turbulent Time…

It’s a dizzying amount of information to sort through out there. We’ve produced TWO GUIDES involving libraries returning to service, including some HR-related Q&A gems. Read more here, and of course, reach out! Our Colleague on Call service may be able to assist.

Looking for more?

A massive curated resource list is available from our colleagues at the Colorado State Library. Visit: Resources for Decision Makers

FREE Resources…

Several of CLiC’s vendor partners provided free access to valuable electronic resources during the early months of the public health crisis. If your library/school is interested in continuing with those resources, reach out to our Cooperative Purchasing folks to discuss things.

On Courier…

MAY 18, 2020: Delivery and pickup services are starting up again. Is your library ready to jump back into statewide resource sharing? First, we need some information from you.  Please fill out this Resumption of Courier Service form so we can let WPL (Western Peaks Logistics) know that your library is ready to re-start courier service. Want more background? Read our post on Courier Restart: So Much to Know!

Hey, Stranger!

Is your library ready to jump back into statewide resource sharing? If not, there’s no pressure from CLiC. Local control rules the day.

But if your library is ready, we first need some information from you.  Please fill out the Restoration of Courier Service form so we can let WPL (Western Peaks Logistics) know that your library is ready for service to resume.

BEFORE you get started, PLEASE read further. These details are important, so that your expectations are realistically matched with CLiC’s ability to deliver service.

• Statewide courier service will not be turned on with a single flip of the switch. It requires a measured, staged approach because libraries are re-opening on different dates and with different service models. Local control determines when a public, academic, school or special library re-opens, and to what extent that library’s services involve interlibrary loan.
• When a library requests that its courier service be restarted, it means the library anticipates having staff ready to receive delivery and process interlibrary loan requests. Libraries will not be allowed to periodically request starts and stops to their service. A library requesting restart of courier service should have confidence that its facilities will be operational for an extended period of time.
• Courier service will be restored to a library after a determination by Western Peaks that a) the route is deemed efficient; b) fleet and driver capacity provides for the ability to provide sustainable, consistent pickup & delivery to the library.
• Routing and scheduling is determined by WPL, not by CLiC or local libraries. Libraries cannot request specific time windows or changes to their delivery schedule. Deliveries/pickups will occur during either a morning window (9-1) or afternoon window (12-4). Check your current Courier Agreement for specifics on delivery days and times.

FAQs

Here are a few FAQs that you may be wondering about regarding restart of courier service.

I’ve already filled out your restoration of services form. Do I need to fill it out again?

Nope, you’ve done your part! If you already filled out the form, we have your details in hand. Subsequent broadcast messages you receive from us promoting the restart and the form are meant for all of those libraries who haven’t yet filled it out.

Most libraries are getting courier now; why aren’t we?!

We understand the emotion and concern behind this question. Many libraries are receiving service, and many still are not. For a quick dive into the complexities and reasons for a slow ramp-up in this statewide service, check out Wild Days Ahead: Restarting Library Courier

What if I don’t have enough empty bins for material that needs to be picked up?

We’ve got you covered! Let us know what you need on The Restoration of Courier Service form. In late April 2020, CLiC invested $8,000 to purchase additional gray bins to help smooth the restart process.  All library material needs to be in a gray bin.

Is Western Peaks disinfecting every item that passes through its system?

No. When courier services are running at full capacity, a typical DAY could involve more than 10,000 items. Libraries are encouraged to use their own local standards of quarantining and disinfecting material.

Bins held by Western Peaks Logistics while courier services were suspended have been wiped down with disinfectant. No item-level disinfecting has been done.

Are drivers required to adopt safe-handling procedures?

Yes. Western Peaks Logistics has reported that drivers do wear gloves, masks and have been advised to follow established safety guidelines. Drivers are temperature scanned at their hub locations on a daily basis. The company, many weeks ago, created protocols for regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces and other points for common contact. Since the onset of the public health crisis, no WPL drivers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Are libraries required to disinfect material in a standardized way?

No. Remember, time is the best disinfectant. Quarantine and disinfecting procedures are determined locally by each participating library. Many libraries are adopting 72-hour quarantine periods for material returned by patrons or received through the courier.

See the latest research-based findings for how long the COVID-19 virus lives on library material, as published by the REALM Project.

In early April, CLiC issued a guide that addresses some aspects of safe material handling. See: Returning to Service: Libraries and COVID-19. Follow your internal procedures for handling incoming materials, just as you would for materials returned by patrons.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about?

We are communicating actively with our colleagues at Marmot, the Alliance, Colorado State Library (SWIFT) and Flatirons Library Consortium. Since CLiC already manages AspenCat, we have those internal communication lines well established.

However, we strongly advise that your library think through what resource sharing looks like for your community and what dependencies on the statewide courier are involved — BEFORE turning on within your library catalog any patron-initiated interlibrary loan functionality. Consider waiting until courier is running consistently to your location.

Hooray! Is my library making a difference?

Absolutely! CLiC’s goal is to make it simple for your library, ensure communication is clear and consistent, and that all libraries choosing to participate in this resource-sharing system recognize that we’re all in this together. We’re a community. It’s imperfect, but works pretty darn well when we pitch in together.

Have you ever wondered what the difference between AspenCat and CLiC is? Or what’s the difference between Koha and the Discovery Layer? You’re not alone! We’ve created a glossary/flow chart that helps explain some of the terms and systems we use daily as part of AspenCat. [Read more…]