What do I do when I find an item from another library with my check-in cart?
We will return them via AEA/IA Shares or mail. The AEA Van picks up on Tuesday and Thursday. After the items are quarantined, Circ Staff enters the titles of the items we return to other libraries in the IA Shares/AEA Shipments spreadsheet which can be accessed from the Patron Assistance Menu on the Intranet.
Talking points for patrons are:
- It can be a couple of weeks for delivery through the van. Libraries usually backdate to the date we received the item at JPL, but while the item is in transit, it will remain on their account at its home library.
- The home library may quarantine the item after it is received, so patrons may want to build that into their timeline.
A schedule of the AEA Van schedule and buildings/libraries can be found here.
After you have entered the information into the database above, you should package the item. You can use an old mailer, a paper bag or a small box depending on the number items you are returning. You can return more than one item to the same library in a container. Close package with tape.
Securely tape a label to the package. Include this information on the label:
- the name of the library
- the route number
- the date we received the item
Place the labeled package in the blue bin labeled “Ready for AEA Van pickup”
Please do not place books directly in the bin without packaging them and including the route information.
If the item belongs to a library that is not on the AEA van route, please put a detailed note on the item stating “Returned to JPL” and the date the item was received. Place on the TS shelf. TS staff will enter the item in the database after determining the most appropriate method to send it.
Please don’t hesitate to ask Molly if you have any questions about the AEA Van or Open Access questions.