Use the Library Shipping Tool to create Mailing Labels used to ship through Canada Post. Print both the TO and RETURN label, and place the return label in the package with the shipped items.
You can find a detailed Library Shipping Tool Manual on the Intranet (https://staff.nlpl.ca); after signing in, select Staff Tools > Training Guides > Library Shipping Tool Manual.
You will likely be mailing and receiving more items at your library.
You will need to find a space in your library to process the mail, and a place to put items that need to be mailed until you have a chance to process the mail (this place should be away from public reach, so that patrons do not try to borrow items that have been checked-in and set to 'In Transit'). When you process the mail will depend on the number of staff working at your branch and your daily workflow; single-staffed libraries will know when the best time in a day to process mail will be. You may need to schedule administrative time to process the mail if you are finding it difficult to complete the task without interruption from patrons needing assistance.
When mailing a hold to another library, in cases where a new mailing slip is generated, the return label needs to go with the item. Please make note of the weight on the return label to inform staff at the receiving branch. For example a book destined for Comer Brook requested from Gander:
The mailing slip reads TO: Corner Brook (from Gander). The return slip reads TO: Gander (from Corner Brook).
When you receive return labels in the mail, file them away for future use. When you have multiple items requested by the same library in a single package, package these items together and generate a mailing label for the appropriate weight. Save the smaller weight label(s) for future use.
It is not necessary to file the part of the label with tracking numbers or to write titles/book info on these labels - the return labels can be used to send any item requested by the library on the return label.
Here is an example workflow for mailing items from your library:
1. Check-in items with Horizon when they are returned to your library - if Horizon displays a Transit message, place the item in a dedicated area for mail processing (a cart, shelf, or work-surface that works for you).
2. Run your Pull List and Expired Holds Report; collect these items from the shelves (and follow step 1).
3. When it's time to process the mail, use any Mail Return slips that you have on hand - for locations that you do not have a return slip, generate a new Mail Return Slip using the Shipping Tool.
4. Make a note of the package weight on the Mail Return slips and place them in the package with the items that you are mailing out.
5. Package your items into appropriate sized boxes and/or envelopes for the number of items that you need to send to each location. Items for SJA (Marjorie Mews) and SJB (Michael Donovan) get packaged and mailed together with items going to SJH (A.C. Hunter).
6. Drop packages off at the local post office and pick up any packages that have been sent to your library.
*Suggestion: file return slips by name of library not by code.
Due to these changes and increased mailing volume, you may need to complete Petty Cash Reimbursement forms more frequently. If this becomes a problem, discuss the possibility of increasing the amount in your Petty Cash with your Division Manager.