Rotation

Contact Person: Cheryl

Van Driver: Roger F.

Rotation Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

Deliveries are made on a regular schedule. Ten (10) boxes of new books are left with each delivery and the 10 boxes left previously are picked up. Rotation sites, including libraries, are divided geographically into six (6) routes. Books picked up from the first site are left at the second, books from the second are left at the third, etc. This is a browsing collection, meaning the books are available for immediate checkout and belong to SEKLS Rotation. Each book includes a library checkout card and pocket, as well as an electronic barcode, to track circulation. 

Access to the rotation site is provided to the Rotation driver so that deliveries can be made at the time the Rotation van arrives. The Rotation van leaves early in the morning and sometimes returns late at night. 

How can my community start Rotation Services? 

If a town is unserved by a public library, a rotating book drop can be set up if a responsible group or individual will oversee it. The main requirements are:

• Provide a secure location, such as a senior citizen center, city hall, or school
• Establish regular hours for when community residents can check out books
• Designate an individual who will be responsible for checking books in and out and contacting those with overdue books
• Designate and individual who will be responsible for preparing the books for each Rotation delivery.

How do I know when Rotations will be made? 

A list of delivery dates for the year is provided by the System and is made available online. The schedule is usually sent out with the November deliveries. You will also receive a reminder postcard approximately a week prior to each delivery.

What type of books are sent on Rotation? 

The exact mixture of books sent out varies on each Rotation route, but each Rotation includes these types of books:

• Fiction, including bestselling authors: 2½ – 3 boxes, depending on the route
• Nonfiction, including cookbooks and self-help: ½- 1½ boxes
• Westerns: 1- 2½ boxes
• Large print titles: 2½- 3 boxes
• Children’s chapter books (juvenile): ½- 1 box
• Picture books (easy): ½- 1 box
• Young Adult titles: ½ box

Must we leave the books in the boxes? 

No. The wooden boxes are constructed so that books may be left in them and they can be used as shelves, but if you’d prefer to empty the boxes and put the books on your shelves, go right ahead. Just be sure they are back in the boxes for the next Rotation date.

How do we prepare for a Rotation delivery? 

1. Separate out Rotation books from your own collection.
2. If you take Rotation books out of the wooden boxes, put them back in before each delivery.
3. Put like books together in the same box (nonfiction, fiction, westerns, juvenile, easy, and large print).
4. Arrange them in shelf order–alphabetical by author for fiction, numerical order for nonfiction. Biographies can be put at the end of nonfiction. To make this easier, we label each set of boxes sent out. This will let you know what type of book to put in each box.
5. Place any overflow books into a cardboard box and put it by the other Rotation books for pick up.

What should I do about lost, damaged, or soiled books? 

For public libraries, if one of your patrons loses or damages a book beyond repair, deal with it as if it were your own book. Call Cheryl Korte at SEKLS to get the price of the book. If the book is in print, replacement cost will be charged. If it’s no longer in print, the charge will be $25 for a hardback book, $15 for a juvenile hardback, $10 for a nonfiction paperback, and $5 for a fiction paperback. When you collect payment from the patron, send the remittance to SEKLS.

In the case of damage when the book is not ruined (torn-off jackets, torn pages, etc.), either charge what you normally would or call SEKLS to ask what the charge should be.

You can clean soiled book jackets with a clean damp cloth.

If Rotation books need repair, put them in a bag or box and mark it “SEKLS Rotation repair.” Place the bag or box on top of or in front of the Rotation boxes.

Please discourage your patrons from initialing or otherwise marking on the books they read.

What if a new checkout card is needed?

If a checkout card is full or missing, make a temporary card.

What should I do if I find a Rotation book in my collection? 

Please put it back with the Rotation books.

What if I find another library’s book with the Rotation books? 

Either return it directly to the library or put it in a courier bag labeled “SEKLS Rotation” and place it by the Rotation boxes on the next delivery date. We’ll get it back to where it belongs.

Will the Rotation Van pick up interlibrary loans and other items? 

Yes. Any interlibrary loans you would be returning during the week of Rotation can be held and sent on the van. Please don’t mix them with the Rotation books. Put them in a separate courier bag or box and mark them SEKLS–ILL.

We may also deliver interlibrary loans or other items to you via the Rotation van.

Items other than interlibrary loan materials can be sent via the Rotation van. We’re happy to save you the postage cost.