Decision time: what to do about a book drop

[Myka]

We raised $111.25 at our summer used book sale. It was raised for the
purpose of purchasing a slot to be installed in the library's door so
that people may return books when the library is closed. I was
picturing one of those mailbox slots. We have a total of $460.51 in
the library account (this includes the proceeds of the book sale), so
we have a little extra to draw from if we need to. After a little bit
of research, I've come up with a few different options, which are at
the end of this message.

I'm looking for some good discussion on this topic. One of the main
considerations (in my opinion) is choosing something that will grow
with the library. Our circulation currently averages about 3-4 books
per month, only 25% of which are children's books. Whatever option we
choose should be able to accommodate a higher circulation rate (maybe
as many as 20-30 books per month) as well as a higher percentage of
children's books. Children's books, particularly picture books, are
larger in size than standard books which is why I think they need to
be a factor in our decision making.

Please share any and all thoughts you may have on the topic. If you
have an idea that's not included in the options I've come up with,
please share that as well. This is a brainstorming session as much as
it is discussion leading to a decision. Thanks for your attention.

OPTION 1: Mail slot installed in library door
Available from: http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.335/.f
Polished brass finish $52.79; antique brass finish $60.79
May need additional mail slot sleeve $11.99
(Shipping & Handling and any applicable sales tax is not included in
these prices)
*Pros: Easy to install; economical; non-obtrusive
*Cons: Opening may restrict use for larger items (only 2 1/4" x 11");
larger items may get damaged if people try to force them through the
opening; items will be deposited on floor and may get stepped on or
damaged

OPTION 2: Letter drop with collection box installed in library door
Available from: http://www.mailboxworks.com/AF_LDSys.html
Available in aluminum, gold, or bronze finish for $250.
(Shipping & Handling and any applicable sales tax is not included in
this price)
*Pros: collection box keeps items safe and secure
*Cons: may be harder to install (designed for a wall, not a door),
more expensive, box will only hold 3-4 books at a time, oversized
items (like picture books) would not fit at all.

OPTION 3: Hopper drop installed in library door
Available from: http://www.mailboxworks.com/AF_BookDrop.html
Available in aluminum, gold, or bronze finish for $380.
(Shipping & Handling and any applicable sales tax is not included in
this price)
*Pros: large opening should accommodate almost all items in our
collection
*Cons: harder to install (designed for a wall, not a door), more
expensive, items will be deposited on floor and may get stepped on or
damaged, chute for drop will stick out from door and may be obtrusive/
unattractive especially when door is open.

OPTION 4: Freestanding book drop to be placed outside library
Available from:
http://www.shopbrodart.com/shop/cb/product.aspx?pgid=2465&catnum=BM750000&attvalueid=42748&attid=8871#prodGrid_bookmark
Price: $375 plus S&H (40"H x 27"W x 27"D)
*Pros: would accommodate almost all items in our collection, keeps
them safe and secure
*Cons: expensive, may be too wide to place under plaque, will protrude
into hallway

OPTION 5: Custom-made book drop to be placed outside library, under
plaque
Available from: unknown woodworker in congregation?
Price: hopefully just the cost of raw materials?
*Pros: keep items safe and secure, large enough to accommodate almost
all items in collection, custom made to fit the right space
*Cons: don't know who could make this for us, price is currently
uncertain, will require more work and patience (as opposed to ordering
something pre-made)

[Janie Alexander]

I think it would be fine to get one of the less expensive drops for the door if it will fit a lot of our books.  Then, on down the road we could see about a custom made box that would accomodate larger items. I know that the majority of the books I've checked out would have fit fine in a letter slot. 

Myka <Myk...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Pat Ziebart]

Thanks for doing all the homework on our options, Myka.  One thing I'd rule out is the free-standing book drop in the hall.  There may be problems with fire code and the preschool that we don't anticipate.  Is there a reason that #2 or #3 can't be installed in a wall?

[Jim Wynn]

Myka, et al -

I prefer the less expensive options - I think there are other ways
to deal with returning children's books than a book drop. Also, there
are ways to prevent books from dropping onto the floor, even if no
container is directly attached.

I'd rather put money into check-out rather than return, and suggest
purchasing a nice cart that would display (especially) large picture
books, and possibly make them available some day during the week,
perhaps in collaboration with the preschool.

Also, I suspect that reaching a circulation of even 10 books per
month will take several years, unless we can make books for children
more visible.

Thanks for all the research, Myka.

Best, Jean

[Dan Browning]

I'm with the folks who have expressed a preference for the less
expensive options, given our current (and reasonably anticipated)
usage. Let's spend those other funds in acquisitions!

Dan

[Myka Kennedy Stephens]

Thanks for all the opinions that have been expressed so far. It's
really valuable to get different perspectives, and I've been getting a
little overwhelmed with some of the decisions that need to be made at
this point in our growth of library ministry!

I did want to respond directly to Pat's question about a wall
installation. A wall installation, particularly those that I have
found, would be quite tricky with our building. I discovered when we
had the ethernet line run down to the library that the wall between
the library and the hallway is 10" thick solid red brick. While it
might be nice to install the drop in the wall with a box underneath on
a table to catch the books, I worry about what it would require to cut
the hole. I have access to quite a few nifty powertools thanks to
Darryl's handiness, but cutting through that much brick might be
risky, especially for a building of that age. If worse comes to worse
(meaning I can't sweet-talk Darryl or someone else into helping), I
can install a mailslot in the door by myself. The larger (more
expensive) options would certainly be more difficult.

In regard to Dan's comment about spending more money on acquisitions,
I've got a growing list of items to put on the "library wishlist," and
would welcome thoughts on what our priorities are. I'll talk more
about this in a separate post, probably in a few days, but this is
just something to be thinking about in the meantime.

Myka

[Jim Wynn]

Myka et al -

I hope that a discussion on acquisitions will include a goal to
increase usage; that is, that money spent on books should result in
increased usage. If it doesn't, then we have some marketing decisions
to make.

Best, Jean

[Katie Heffelfinger]

Dear Library group,
 
First, we need a door slot and the least expensive would be best. I was thinking about ways that might have more people to visit the library. We could have childrens story time, get the book writers to show there books in the librarywith a book signing. We have professor like David, Stephen, Mary Elizabeth, Rex Newsom Etc.
In the summer, breaks like spring break etc. Have a story time then play time in the play ground with maybe a picnic. Katie is a supervisor at Columbia Library. People set up times to answer questions, talk about a book.We could maybe do that also. We need to think about ways that each of us could help promote the library.
 
God Bless,
Jamie Heffelfinger

> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 15:06:09 -0400
> From: myk...@gmail.com
> To: DHUMC_...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: Decision time: what to do about a book drop

[Myka]

Just to keep you all up-to-date, I ordered the hardware for the mail
slot last night. I hope we can get it installed within the next month.

And speaking of new acquisitions, I went to Cokesbury this morning and
bought some great books off the Clearance rack - average $5 a piece.
Be looking on the blog in the next day or so for the titles.