Kansas Library Express just passed it’s first year of service to Kansas libraries. Following is their usage report.
The new service year for Kansas Library Express is off to a good start. In June and July (2010), 15 service locations were added. Four of these are libraries that received indirect service in 2009-10. There are now 240 libraries receiving direct delivery, and another 25 locations being served indirectly either as branches of a delivery location or through a neighboring library.
While the number of 5-day delivery locations has not grown as much as anticipated, three new participants have delivery 5-days per week. Three other participants from last year increased service to 5-days per week, but three others reduced their service to 3- from 5-days. Two libraries discontinued service at the end of June.
The transition to the new label format is still a work in progress. Libraries that have sent comments generally are positive about the easy-to-read format.
Statistical reports from June are not yet complete. At present, the total courier use this first year exceeds 562,000 items.
“Our library saved over $2,000 in postage from 7/1/09 to the present by using the courier service. We’re most pleased with it…. CKLS pays a good portion of our courier fee,” notes Nancy Reynolds of Frank Carlson Library, Concordia. Support for the KLE courier from all regional systems as well as from the State Library of Kansas has been essential in keeping the cost affordable to libraries.
The average cost of $.81 per item to ship on the Kansas Library Express has provided real benefit to Kansas libraries. The savings will continue to grow as new members share their collections on Kansas Library Express.
Learn more about the service from the Kansas Library Express website http://kslibexpress.mykansaslibrary.org/ or by contacting Carolyn Little at clittle@nekls.org or by phone (785) 838-4090.