1. Holds and Transits in a Large Consortium

2. PINES Georgia’s “Borderless Library” System 54 Library Systems
300 Library Branches

3. PINES holds have proven to be challenging to administer because of
the size of the consortium
the geographic area covered by it
the sheer number of items that move about the state
the system processes that control holds

4. A few questions that would be considered when holds are being processed:
Does the item have age protection?
Is the item hold able?
Is the shelving location hold able?
Is the library hold able?
Is it an item that is not sharable via PINES policy?
Is it an item that requires a deposit?

5. If the answer to all these questions is “yes”, other than does the item have age protection, then it is easy. The item appears on a pull list, staff pull the item and capture the hold, they put it in courier and it is delivered.

6. If the answer to any of those questions is “no”, other than does the item have age protection, then the cycle has to start all over again until an item can be found to fill the hold. If no item can be found, the hold will not be allowed to be placed.

7. We have captured the holds and they need to go to different libraries across Georgia.
How does that happen?

8. The items are sorted by library, then packaged in a PINES bag and labeled.

9. Next the items are packed into totes for the courier to pick up.
Then they are taken to one of 3 warehouses, sorted by library and sent to the corresponding warehouse for redistribution to the courier drivers for delivery. There are 16 courier routes covering the state of Georgia.

10. The courier stops at all public library headquarters branches as well as the university system libraries across Georgia. Intra PINES loans are shipped via the courier as well as Inter Library Loans from Georgia Universities and Public Libraries.
Individual library systems are responsible for courier delivery between their branches. However, they can contract individually with the State courier for delivery to their branches.
Transit times average 5 business days. Keep in mind that includes the time it takes for the item to get from a branch to the headquarters library and then picked up by the courier. Once it is picked up, the courier takes it to the warehouse, it is redistributed for delivery to a headquarters library. Then it may need to be sent to a branch of that library system.

11. Finding the right courier company
Having enough courier bags
Having enough courier totes
Damages

12. PINES Services Specialist – Circulation Georgia Public Library Service
Dawn Dale
PINES Services Specialist – Circulation
Georgia Public Library Service