[Access-ip] External / remote book returns

[Nancy Kress]

University of Chicago is considering external and/or remote book returns. Faculty have requested that the Library provide a convenient location to drive up and drop off books. We have a large main library and five smaller campus libraries, all within a six block area. We are interested in hearing from libraries who have remote/external book returns for the general campus. If not, perhaps you offer a separate service for faculty. In the case of a book return for the general campus, we would expect anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 items returned daily. Peak returns can be as high at 15,000 a day.
 
We would appreciate any input on the following questions, as well as any other advice you can offer. Thank you!
 
Do you have external and/or remote book returns?
If yes, do you use outdoor commercial book returns or are items returned inside a building?
If you do not use commercial book returns, what do you use?
How frequently are items removed and who performs this work?
What are the shipping issues?
If you do not have external and/or remote book returns, do you offer any special services for faculty? How is this performed?

Nancy Kress
Head, Bookstacks Department
Joseph Regenstein Library
University of Chicago 
773-834-1244

nkress at uchicago.edu