[Delivery-all] Delivery update for libraries that receive vehicular delivery from PALS

[Hutchinson, Judy]

Please excuse the cross posting and please share with any staff that did not receive this email.

Thank you all for your patience as we've worked through all the details for the delivery changes that PALS is implementing this fall. We have completed our route testing and are ready to begin the final phase of implementing the planned changes.  This memo along with a large packet of materials is going out on delivery tomorrow and I ask you to share the packet with any staff directly involved with processing materials for delivery. I am emailing this summary information as well to let you know that the packets have been distributed so the appropriate staff can look for them.

New Route Configurations and New Delivery Frequency Criteria:
As promised, we will begin following the announced new delivery frequency criteria next Monday, September 8, 2008. Libraries that are changing the number of days of delivery have received written communication from PALS earlier this summer and the new schedules will reflect these frequency changes. All new route configurations (order of stops on the route) will be fully implemented as of next Monday as well.  The time of day that you receive delivery next week is your new approximate time of day from now on.

New Sorting Requirements:
PALS is now requiring members to help us with pre-sorting to make our delivery as efficient and cost-effective as possible. A number of documents have been revised or created that outline the new pre-sorting procedures. We have also tried to provide route lists and master labels to help make the process manageable for everyone. Again, please share these documents with all staff involved in delivery.  We are asking that you implement these sorting procedures as soon as you can, but no later than November 1, 2008.

New Restrictions on What PALS Will Deliver
As of November 1, 2008, PALS will place new limits on what we will deliver via PALS deliveries.  The revised Delivery Member Services guide in the packet spells out what we will and won’t deliver as of that date.

In the packets going out on delivery you should find the following documents:

*“Delivery Member Services Guide” (revised delivery policy manual)
*"Instructions for Routing Materials on PALS Deliveries" (revised general procedures manual for delivery)
*"PALS Delivery Sorting Requirements" (new document with specific instructions for your library on the new pre-sorting that PALS is requiring of member libraries)
*New route schedules and blank labels for labeling containers (not to be confused with labels used for materials!)

Please contact me or your delivery hub supervisor if you have any questions about the new procedures:

Coal Valley - Brenda Roman, brendar at palsnet.info or ext 3152
Rockford - Marilyn Janssen, marilynj at palsnet.info or ext 4470
Shorewood - Shirley Grasty, shirleyg at palsnet.info or ext 2706

Thanks,

Judy

Judy Hutchinson

Administrative Services Manager

Prairie Area Library System

PO Box 125

Coal Valley, IL 61240

judyh at palsnet.info

309-799-3155, ext 3150