Van deliveries

I have heard from all the van drivers and they have mentioned to me that they are having quite a bit of difficulty getting into some of the libraries, I’m not going to name names.
With that being said, I would like to ask you all to please make sure your walkways and stairs are cleared of snow and ice. And to make sure your walkways are wide enough so that a hand truck/ dolly can make it through without difficulty.
As you all know the ILL bins are usually very heavy, and most of the van drivers use their dollies at every stop if possible.
I have told the van drivers that if walkways and stairs are not cleared of snow and ice to NOT DELIVER /PICK UP at that library. The safety of the drivers comes first.

I have also heard from some of the van drivers that the accessibility of the ILL bins are not very easy to retrieve.
It is in our instructions on our Website under For Librarians, Van Delivery Service, Instructions, guidelines, it reads “Prior to the arrival of the van, libraries are asked to place the bin as close to the entrance of the building as possible”.
The van drivers shouldn’t have to climb a flight of stairs, or look behind a coat rack, or go into someone’s office to retrieve the ILL bin. 

The van drivers work very hard, especially this time of year, dealing with snow and ice, and making up missed deliveries when the road conditions are too dangerous for travel. Somedays they have twice the amount of materials they would normally have to deal with. So it would be nice to try and help them out a bit by placing your ILL bins closer to the door, especially if your library isn’t open when they arrive.
Thank you.

Jill Witham
Van Service Coordinator
New Hampshire State Library
603 271-2206
Jill.m.witham@dncr.nh.gov