<html>
<body>
Kerri, <br><br>
We had a delivery between MINITEX in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bemidji
State University in Bemidji, Minnesota. The distance is 230
miles. We had initially used a contract courier with poor
results. We became dissatisfied with the service for many
reasons. Primarily was that when the weather would become a factor
in any way, service was delayed or cancelled. This happened far too
frequently.<br><br>
We started the UPS service during the mid-winter. MINITEX
established an account for Bemidji State to use and we were billed
directly. Bemidji used a computer to process the materials on their
end. Bemidji also established a secure location for the items to be
staged so where their driver could access the tubs without entering the
office. This worked well because the pickups on their end would
happen after the office hours for the library.<br><br>
We sent the items in a plastic Buckhorn style tote with a lid that would
be secured using nylon cable ties. We paid an extra handling fee of
$5.00/day each direction for using the plastic tote but it was less than
what we were paying in total for service using a courier.<br><br>
The service that UPS provided was excellent. With only a handful of
delays because of weather our service went off without a hitch. It
was consistently next-day and would arrive at the same time daily.
We have since gone back to a courier but we are confident that we could
return to UPS providing service without a problem.<br><br>
We have a similar service currently happening between MINITEX and the
North Dakota State Library. The distance is 429 miles one
way. The UPS Service area does not guarantee that this is an
overnight service for ground transportation. Therefore this has
been a 2 day service. We issue return tags that we print and place
in the totes. This way the North Dakota State Library does not need
to have a UPS account. <br><br>
Again, consistent service and very little wear and tear on our
materials.<br><br>
Fred<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial">While
I would love to develop in-house delivery service, that's not realistic
for the Alaska Library Network at this time. We're not a formal
organization yet (although we have 30+ years of informal library
collaboration all called the Alaska Library Network) and I think what
funds we'll have on hand at the beginning will best be served
elsewhere.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial">Given that, I am in the process of developing delivery
service between Fairbanks and Anchorage (one way - 360 miles). Very
simple stuff; single pick-up/drop-off location in each city, one delivery
per day, five days a week. I've spoken with both UPS and FedEx, and
I'm playing telephone tag with DHL. UPS seems the most likely candidate
because they have guaranteed overnight ground service between those
cities and they can set it up to be an automatic daily pick-up/drop-off.
FedEx could make it work and DHL (from what the national service rep told
me) would be willing to talk to me about it.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial">I'm looking for experiences with using UPS and FedEx
ground service for regular deliveries. Particularly from areas with
similar winter conditions. The highway between Fairbanks and Anchorage is
well maintained during the winter but it can still be icy and extremely
cold. Summer conditions are only a problem if there are large scale
forest fires near the highway (very infrequent).<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial">Even if you don't have winter conditions even close to
Alaska's I'd be happy to hear your comments. Thanks!<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial">Kerri Canepa<br>
Coordinator<br>
Alaska Library Network<br>
334 W. 3rd Avenue, Ste 125<br>
Anchorage, AK 99501<br>
907-269-6567<br>
<a href="mailto:kerri.canepa@alaska.gov">kerri.canepa@alaska.gov</a><br>
</font>_______________________________________________<br>
MovingMountains mailing list<br>
MovingMountains@swonlibraries.org<br>
<a href="http://www.swonlibraries.org/mailman/listinfo/movingmountains" eudora="autourl">http://www.swonlibraries.org/mailman/listinfo/movingmountains</a></blockquote></blockquote></body>
</html>