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Discover the innovative concept of floating collections in libraries as presented by Thomas Quigley at CLA 2008. This approach allows library items to "float" freely among branches, reducing handling time, transportation costs, and wear-and-tear on materials. Understand its benefits such as improved availability for patrons and the elimination of redundant transactions. The tool can refresh collections effectively while responding to patron demand. Learn how various libraries have implemented this strategy and the results achieved for superior customer service.
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Floating Collections = Improved Customer Service CLA 2008 By Thomas Quigley, VPL
Definitions & Parameters What is a “floating collection”? • Items float freely among branches • Where it’s checked in, it sticks • ONE LIBRARY = ONE COLLECTION Floating Collections - CLA 2008
CDN Urban Library Floaters(general info only; contact library for particulars) • Vancouver PL - 2006: Large Print, all Fiction, Paperbacks, A/V, Chinese • Edmonton PL - 2005: Fiction, Graphic Novels, A/V, Multilingual • Regina PL – 2006: CD Spoken Word • Mississauga PL – 2006: Large Print, Paperbacks, A/V • Toronto PL - 2008: Paperbacks • Halifax PLs – 2007: Large Print, A/V; “shared collection” Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Why Float? • Reduce the amount of materials handling done by delivery and staff in CEN and branches • Reduce the amount of time for items in transit • Reduce physical wear and tear on items Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Why Float Cont’d. • Smaller sites reduce the risk of being “read out” • Items are available to patrons at point of check in • Collections move where patrons want them to go Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Why Float Cont’d. • Avoids extra transactions (e.g. double check-in) • Reduced transportation costs of moving items between sites • Less staff administration and processing of materials (e.g. labelling and stamping) Floating Collections - CLA 2008
VPL “In Transit” Deliveries – Dec. 10, 2005 Floating Collections - CLA 2008
VPL Shipping StatisticsComparison of 2006 to 2005 Floating Collections - CLA 2008
>PURPOSE: Have we achieved our goal of refreshing and revitalizing (R&R) >collections through floating? This exercise will give us a sense of the >state of R&R across the branch system and in PRL. >HOW: >1) Pick a bay in the G-L area of your adult fiction collection. >2) Count the total number of volumes in the bay. >3) Count the number of volumes in the bay that DO NOT have your branch >yellow sticker on them. >4) You're ready to calculate your refresh rate: >To get a percentage of refreshed volumes in the bay, divide the figure >from #3 by the figure in #2 and multiply it by 100. The higher the figure >the more volumes have floated into this bay of your adult fiction >collection. >Here are some >sample figures from when we were developing this exercise: >Community Branch Basic - 88% >Community Branch - 62% >Popular Reading Library - 30% >5) please send all the figures to Thomas Quigley at JFS by >close of day, Friday, January 12, 2007. This data will be reported and >discussed in the 2nd Review of the Floating Collection. >Thanks for your help! Floating Collections R&R EXERCISE Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Refreshing Exercise Results Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Anticipated Issues • Book conditions – will my branch get books that are in worse condition than mine? • We’ll be swamped -- we won’t have any room! • “Where is that book that I saw here yesterday?” Floating Collections - CLA 2008
Floating Final Thoughts • Make sure you have strong believers on your side • Involve staff at all levels from the very beginning • Phase it in. WEED before you begin • Make sure the door is open for ongoing feedback • Evaluate and ACT on the findings Floating Collections - CLA 2008
THANK YOU !!! Thomas Quigley, VPL (convenor) Email: thomaqui@vpl.ca Floating Collections – CLA 2008
