Physical Delivery in Libraries

Moving Materials: Physical Delivery in Libraries. Valerie Horton and Bruce Smith, eds. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010. 025.6 Movin ISBN 978-0-8389-1001-6

Picking, packing, delivering, and returning library materials can be very time consuming and expensive; yet, it is one of the most important and least understood functions within a library. Until now, little time has been spent studying, exploring, or writing about the physical delivery of library materials. "Moving Materials" is the guide to contemporary logistics management for libraries. Eleven experts in the field explore every aspect of this multi-million dollar function, so readers will learn: the impact of pricing on delivery services; managing in-house delivery systems; and, the value of outsourcing physical delivery to a carrier service. The book details about routing and materials management systems. It features new technologies and the impact of library 2.0 on physical delivery. "Moving Materials" is a practical, useful handbook for library managers who want to save money and offer quality materials to their patrons.