Change in courier among Ohio libraries to disrupt service for 8 weeks
The Mansfield Richland County Public Library, starting March 11, will be among hundreds of libraries throughout the state to experience a disruption in items that come to and from other libraries in Ohio.
“Our customers receive approximately 1,200-1,300 items per month through SearchOhio/OhioLINK. MRCPL lends out around 2,100 per month to other libraries throughout the network,” Chris May, director of MRCPL, said Monday.
“Typically, readers will borrow a book from the middle of a series that is no longer in their home library’s system or a research title that isn’t widely available. We have an extensive collection since we have nine libraries in our system,” May said.
“I think the eight-week timeline is a good estimate,” May said. “We will be sure to keep the public up-to-date at mrcpl.org.”
The entire state library system (including OhioLink.edu via the universities) is about to go through a huge shift in carriers that will affect how materials are delivered.
OhioLINK will be transitioning to a new statewide print delivery provider over the next two months.
“While we will work closely with both our current and new providers to make this a smooth process, there will be delays in print lending for the remainder of the spring semester,” OhioLINK states on its website.
More:Murder trial delayed for suspect in Melinda Davis death
May said there will be a new courier for libraries in Ohio which is actually a former carrier.
“It’s been hit or miss since July with the courier (who brings new materials and transports MRCPL materials to other libraries in vans),” May said.
“There’s been hiccups,” he said. “Going back to the old carrier will be good,” he added.
May said there will be no problem for local library patrons to get items from other branches within the Mansfield Richland County Public Library.
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
Read More: Change in courier among Ohio libraries to disrupt service for 8 weeks