The Colorado Library Courier is pleased to announce an expansion to our statewide courier service. Starting in January 2011, Blue Sky Express will link Colorado’s courier to most Kansas libraries. Blue Sky Express is similar to our highly successful COKAMO delivery service with Missouri libraries. COKAMO saved Colorado libraries $140,000 in USPS shipping cost last year.
The EXTRA GOOD NEWS is that Blue Sky Express is both cheaper to run and faster than COKAMO. Blue Sky Express will run 5 days a week! The only cost to participating libraries is for extra high volume charges if the items you ship via Blue Sky Express increase the total you ship on the Colorado Library Courier by more than 3,000 items in a year.
All current COKAMO members will automatically be included in Blue Sky Express. Instructions on how to set up OCLC are forthcoming.
For non-OCLC libraries, you can ship to any participating library on the Kansas Courier. All Kansas libraries will be added to the Courier Management System so you can find libraries and print labels as needed. We also believe with the help of the State Library that we can link SWIFT to Kansas’ statewide ILL system (KICNET) by the end of 2011.
Resource Sharing continues to thrive and grow in Colorado!
Valerie Horton
Executive Director
Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC)
CLiC is on track to switch to a new courier code scheme on August 1st. As a reminder, you’ll have six months (until February 1, 2008) to fully convert to the new codes. You only need to include either the new or old code on the routing slip, not both. In April, CLiC sent a preliminary list of new courier codes. Since then we’ve been making adjustments to the codes. As a result, the list you were sent is out of date and should be discarded. An updated list is posted on the CLiC website, www.clicweb.org. Please note, it is still subject to change.
The Courier Management System is also scheduled for release on August 1st.
You will use the Courier Management System to:
- manage your contact information
- create routing slips on the fly
- report and track service issues
- report and track lost and damaged items
- view and print reports and courier code lists
- look up courier codes and contact information for other libraries
- access the Courier Handbook
- access an updated version of the Courier 101 tutorial – all are encouraged to – – watch and listen to this 15 minute tutorial
Anyone will be able to create routing slips, look up courier codes, and notify CLiC of service issues. Functions such as managing your library’s contact information, reporting lost or damaged items and report creation, require logging in with a valid username and password. Each library will be assigned a username and password which you will receive around August 1st. This information will be sent via courier to the person who is listed as the primary courier contact.
Don’t forget that your contracts for courier service running from 10/1/07 – 9/30/08 are due into the CLiC office June 15th. If you have not received a contract please e-mail courier@clicweb.org and we will e-mail one to you right away.
For those of you that are community stops (you get items sent to a hosting library) and have never filled out a contract before, it is important that you fill it out this year. With the new courier database we need to get additional information from you as well as make sure that we have correct community stops and hosting library information.
FYI – many libraries change their hours in the summer, if your library has done that please e-mail courier@clicweb.org with your library hours so we can make sure that courier service does not get interrupted.
–Erin Berndsen, Courier Manager
CLiC has added a second online tutorial for your training needs. The Courier 101 tutorial provides an overview of the Colorado Courier Service and explains in detail how to prepare materials for handling by the courier. Some libraries are including this tutorial as part of their training program for new employees. You can either watch the tutorial online: www.clicweb.org/continuing_education/tutorials/courier101main
or contact the CLiC office to receive a CD version to keep on hand at your librar. Certificates of completion are available to all Colorado library staff who successfully pass the quiz.
Tell us how this tutorial has helped you do your job better or how its changed an attitude toward the courier. What tidbits of wisdom did you gain from the tutorial?
CLiC spring and school workshops are over. We traveled from Lamar to Craig to Cortez to Sterling to try and reach as many library staff as possible. Our biggest workshop was a partnership with the SEALS (Southeast Area Librarians) group in Canon City. In addition to 20 terrific session presenters, the keynote speakers included Gene Hainer, Jamie LaRue, and Donna Jones Morris.
Don’t forget to contact one of the consultants concerning Trustee Training. We’ve got quite a line-up of consultants and offer an incredible subsidy.
CLiC staff appreciates the hard work of departing board members, Lyda Hardy, Leslie Manning and Diana Dwyer. We are also excited about our new members coming on board – Karol Sacca, Molly Otto, and Rhonda Gonzales. Between our new members and our continuing members, we have quite a team.
So, thanks to the Colorado voters for passing Referendum C. The passage of the referendum has resulted in $400,000 from the state budget to be put towards Courier costs. This translates into an incredible savings for all, e.g. $632 for 2 stops last year to $300 for 3 stops this year. Good Deal!
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