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G2S Project Code: 2014-CT-72358
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Dawn La Valle
Director Phone: 860-757-6500
Director Email: dawn.lavalle@ct.gov
General Information
Title: Statewide Delivery System (deliverIT CT)
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2013
End Date: 09/30/2015
Abstract: LSTA underwrites part of the cost of physical materials delivery among 222 of the state’s public and academic libraries. The delivery system, named deliverIT CT (formerly Connecticar or Ccar), is the backbone of the state’s resource sharing. deliverIT CT enables reciprocal borrowing in Connecticut: items borrowed from participating institutions may be dropped off at any library, and then deliverIT CT returns the materials to the owning library. In this way, borrowers can use their hometown library cards in any public library in Connecticut and be sure that materials will be returned where they belong. deliverIT CT also supports interlibrary loan through delivery of user-requested library materials between libraries in the state. A volume study conducted in May 2015 estimated that deliverIT CT delivers approximately 3.7 million items annually.



State Goal: Resources and delivery systems
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$307,578.00
$269,206.00
$0.00
$576,784.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Collection Development & Management
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Pickup, sort, deliver
Narrative: deliverIT CT is provided through a combination of State Library-operated service (to 91 libraries) and a contractor-operated service (to another 131 libraries). deliverIT CT service is provided to principal public libraries, academic libraries, and other institutions. Most libraries receive pickup and delivery 5 days a week (Monday to Friday), and deliverIT CT makes 848 stops per week – an average of 4 per library. Materials shipped include all physical formats (books, DVDs, CDs, etc). Libraries have designated a pickup point in their facility which is convenient for the driver. State Library staff and the private contractor use their own sorting facilities to sort all items picked up that day. Material going between the two routes is exchanged each morning and afternoon.

In order to communicate with libraries about the deliverIT CT service, the State Library maintains an e-mail distribution list (at http://mylist.net/listinfo/ccarlist) and a website (at http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/deliveritct).



Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 3,700,000
Average number of items circulated / month: 308,333
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 179
Academic Libraries: 37
SLAA: 3
Consortia: 1
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 1
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
The May 2015 volume survey found that 3.7 million items are being delivered this year.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
This figure represents a 27.61% increase from previous volume study done in March 2014. One of the consortia in the state changed ILS vendors and therefore changed the way they processed their holds, which likely caused this increase.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: The contractor that handles delivery to 131 libraries has notified the state that it will end its contract earlier than anticipated in spring 2016. The state will hire additional drivers as state employees to take over that portion of the delivery service. These new employees will be paid from LSTA funds. Likewise, additional van rentals and fuel will be paid from LSTA.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: After the delivery contract ceases, all operations will be centralized in one location and managed by state employees instead of contractors. Once the service is completely state run, it will be more efficient, better managed, and sustainable. The volume of items delivered may drop during the transition period.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThis year, the deliverIT CT service saved Connecticut's libraries more than $9 million in postage costs (at $2.41 per item, book rate), while the cost to provide service was approximately $577,000 (a combination of state and LSTA funding).
Project Tags: ILL, Ccar