I think there are a lot of reasons why MEFIND is not working right now for
book groups.

- Rounding up and sending out ILL's is time consuming. With cuts in hours
and staffing, I'm sure it's getting tougher to find the time for this. I
know I missed a few within the last few days because things have been so
hectic here.
- If you're not a part of the delivery system, it's an expensive
proposition, usually about $2.45 per book.
- Many times the books requested are just too new and too popular.  We have
waiting lists for books such as The Guernsey Literary..., My Sister's
Keeper, Three Cups of Tea, etc, so we can't fulfill requests.  If a book has
been on the shelf for less than six months, chances are I'm not going to let
it go to another library for six to eight weeks.

Using MEFIND is so much easier than putting it out on MELIBS - it's more
direct. What we need to do is get more libraries on board.

That's my 2 cents for the day.

Mamie

Mamie Anthoine Ney
Director
South Berwick Public Library
37 Portland Street
P.O. Box 35
South Berwick, ME 03908-003
207-384-3308 (incl. fax)
south-berwick.lib.me.us
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