Get Carried Away at AADL
On Monday, August 20, we will begin a transition from plastic bags to unbleached, cotton totes. Unlike the heavy plastic bags, the totes will not be free. They can be purchased for $2.00 at any circulation desk. Plastic AADL bags are seen everywhere. Sometimes they end up in places that are not good for us or for the environment. This new way to carry library material is in keeping with the AADL's emphasis on sustainability.
So, be prepared to get carried away and support the AADL's efforts to lead by example by purchasing a tote that is washable, squashable, and good-looking! The plastic bags will be gone when supplies are depleted or by January 2, 2008, whichever happens first.
Josie
Comments
I applaud your sustainability efforts, especially on this front. I would also suggest that receipts are not printed unless requested. Also, recycling receptacles would be useful at the exits so miscellaneous paper can be recycled instead of thrown away.
Most excellent!
The Library also uses canvas tote bags that are nicely embrodered with a closing zipper to manage groupings of children's books. Is there a possibility that these bags could be purchased for general use too? I wouldn't mind paying more to support this effort.
amberlee2000 makes some great suggestions. I agree wholeheartedly.
Hurray! I think you'll find you have significant support for this!
I also second the idea of only printing receipts for those who ask.
This is a great step forward, thank you!
Thanks for your support, and suggestions. I'll cover all of the comments in one response.
We agree about receipts. When checking out material at a service desk, staff do ask if a receipt is required, and patrons are given the opportunity to decline. If we forget to ask, remind us. However, the self-check machines do not currently allow a receipt to print/not to print option, and we are working on that. We are already investigating ways to give patrons a global receipts preference and we plan to roll out that functionality by the end of the year. Hopefully, that will mean that a receipt preference can be made from the accounts page once in the same way pick-up locations for Holds are determined. If your needs change, then you can change your preference. I don't know if we'll ultimately be able to get this level of control for you, but we'll try.
I, too, love the bags that we use for story kits. Compared to the cotton totes, they are quite expensive and we didn't consider them as an alternative to the plastic bags for that reason. However, you are not the first person to ask about the possibility of purchasing them, and we'll look into that, too.
We do have recycling containers at the new branches, and recycling containers are located near copiers in all of our buildings. We don't have enough though in the Downtown Library. Thanks for prodding us on that.
Josie
I go at least once a week, sometimes more often, to Malletts Creek. I have NEVER been asked whether or not I wanted a receipt. I didn't realize there was a choice. I think it would be great to make it optional, because I just toss the receipts as soon as I get home. Going to my account on the web site is much more useful for checking for overdues, as well as the e-mails sent to remind a due date is coming.
Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your efforts to reduce the use of plastics... It has bothered me to see so many AADL plastic bags being given away.
As plastic bags go, though, they are terrific. We reuse ours over and over.
Until it is option for you when you are managing your account online, please let the clerk know that you don't want a receipt before your materials are checked out. Hopefully, we'll do better asking, too.
Josie
The plastic bags are very sturdy and I reuse mine, too. We have been looking for a better, and affordable option for awhile. I hope that you find the cotton bag as useful.
Josie