Vendor For Statewide Delivery Service Selected

On behalf of Maine Info Net I am pleased to announce the 
selection of CD&L Inc. to  provide delivery services to Maine 
libraries as a result of a recently concluded bid process.  The 
new agreement covers the period July 2006 - June 2007.    The 
main points for libraries whose participation is coordinated by 
the Maine State Library include:

1.	No per-tote charges. Pricing is simple and predictable and is 
based solely on the number of stops.  If the volume of activity 
increases, pricing will not change.

2.	No fuel adjustment charge.  Whatever happens with gasoline 
prices in the next 12 months the cost to libraries will not 
vary.

3.	A per stop charge of $11.50.  A great many libraries will 
find that this represents a cost reduction when compared to the 
old rate plus per-tote charges. For most others it is only a 
modest increase, again because of the old per-tote charge.

4.	A uniform list of non-delivery holidays (about 12 days a 
year, to be posted) will be observed.  Libraries getting 5-day a 
week delivery will know ahead of time that there will be no 
delivery on these days.  For all other libraries that normally 
would get delivery on the holiday a stop will be made instead on 
the next day the library is open and would not otherwise get a 
delivery.

5.	Satisfactory agreement on a number of important issues that 
have arisen with CD&L in the past year.  Some towns that 
previously were not serviced now will be.  Acute problems with 
particular drivers and routes are being addressed.  A new 
approach to complaint resolution has been worked out.

Please note that bills for the April - June period will be sent 
out in July and will follow the old pricing structure.

Cost and the Smallest Libraries

A word about cost.  The lower-cost of the two bidders was 
selected.  Substantial cost increases were expected because of 
increased gasoline prices and the fact that the old prices were 
3 years old.  Nevertheless we realize that for some of the 
smallest libraries that never exceed one tote per stop this cost 
increase may make the difference between using the delivery 
service and not using it, which in turn may make the difference 
between joining SOLAR and MaineCat, and not doing so.

If your library finds itself in this position, please let me 
know.  Send me an email describing the fiscal situation that you 
face.  I don't know if there will be anything we can do in the 
short run for libraries in the worst financial shape.  However, 
the first step is to determine how many libraries are most 
severely impacted.  This will also help us in looking toward 
possible alternative approaches in future bid cycles.

Starting or Changing Delivery Service

Beginning in the new fiscal year, changes to the schedule and 
additions of new libraries can only be done during several 
"windows".  The first of these is open from now through July. If 
you would like to join the delivery service for the first time, 
you must do so during this period or wait until November of this 
year, or the May 2007 window.  Current delivery sites can change 
their schedules only during these same periods.

You can join the Delivery Service through:

http://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/interlib/join_delivery.htm

or edit your current service through:

http://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/interlib/edit_delivery.htm

The intent of this more structured approach is to make it easier 
for the vendor to provide the expected service level and for the 
Maine State Library to accurately bill libraries for the actual 
service they receive.

Coordination 

The business office of the Maine State Library will bill 
libraries and make payments to the vendor.   Dean Corner, 
Director of Reader & Information Services, of the Maine State 
Library is the contact person for questions or problems related 
to the service.  His email address is [log in to unmask]  
Please contact him first if you have encountered a significant 
service problem, or have questions about the new service 
contract.  

All involved with working out the logistics of this service are 
concerned that it operate as smoothly and predictably as 
possible.  As this service grows it becomes harder to deal with 
minor variances in service.  We encourage libraries to be as 
flexible and cooperative as possible even as we also are on 
watch for any egregious service problems and will work with the 
vendor to resolve them as they arise.

Your Contact Information

Please review the contact information for your library on the 
delivery page at:

http://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/interlib/delivery.htm

Please also have a look at the contact information to be found 
at:

http://www.maine.gov/infonet/mainecat/contacts.htm

If there are changes on either page, please click the Feedback 
link at the bottom of the page and enter your correction.

Regards,

-- 
Karl Beiser, Executive Director
Maine Info Net 
16 Central Street
Bangor, ME 04401
[log in to unmask]
207-973-3293, 207-299-2492 (cell)
207-973-3296 (fax)
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Maine Info Net, a service of the University of Maine System and 
the Maine State Library, draws on a partnership of public, 
academic, school and special libraries to create the leading 
statewide source of information and educational resources for 
Maine citizens.  It provides an online information portal, 
promotes resource sharing, provides cost-effective solutions for 
improvement of the quality of library and information services, 
and supports the economic development of the State.