Materials handling and shipping guidelines ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of goods from one location to another.

Please treat ALL materials with respect.

Packaging Guidelines

• Use Suitable Containers for Shipping:
  • Canvas bags
  • Zippered bags
  • Sturdy cardboard boxes
• Materials Suitable for Inside Shipping Containers:
  • Padded envelopes
  • Bubble pouches
  • Bubble wrap
  • DVD hard cases or cardboard mailers
  • CD hard cases or cardboard mailers
  • Cardboard
  • Use Zip-Loc heavy-duty bubble bags for die cuts
• Secure Items Properly:
  • When alerting staff with notes use removable tape or post-it notes, instead of adhesive tape on the outside of materials
  • Use proper-sized rubber bands and use them sparingly
  • Padded mailers use rubber bands or tape to secure closure, no staples
  • Tie canvas bags with a slip knot

Handling Tips

• Check for Completeness: Open DVD, CD, and Book on CD cases to verify the expected number of items are included.
• Contact the Previous Library if Materials are Missing: The previous user ID is available on the item record for 3 days after check-in.
• Inspect Items Before Sending: Ensure materials are in good condition, without stains, missing pages, cracks, or scratches.
• Only Use Correct Labels: Replace printed labels with the most recent when a change or update is announced, destroy old labels.

What NOT to DO:
FOLD items to fit into suitable containers
ROLL items to fit into suitable containers
THROW items already in suitable containers
OVERSTUFF suitable containers
STAPLE mailers