In October 2007, 186 library facilities that receive LORI Delivery services were asked to record and to report their out-going item counts. The survey took place October 14 through October 20, 2007, with 95% (177) of network libraries participating. All together, 40,038 items were transported in the LORI Delivery system during the week of October 14, 2007.

At the time of the survey, many libraries reported there were not enough delivery bins around for the volumes transported in the system.  OLIS has since acquired 1,500 new bins for the LORI network.  Based on the survey, the heaviest delivery traffic occurs on Monday for most libraries. 

On Monday, October 15, 2007:

• 8,420 items were shipped from LORI libraries
• 422 bins were used for outgoing materials
• Had there been enough bins at the time, 462 bins would have been used for all  outgoing materials
• If the volume of incoming materials is similar to the outgoing volumes, a minimum of 924 bins of library materials were in transit among LORI libraries
  

OLIS conducted two similar surveys in 2001 and 2006.  The following are numbers drawn from these surveys:

• In a typical week of LORI Delivery, a total of
  • 25,693 items were transported in 2001
  • 36,274 items were transported in 2006
  • 40,038 items were transported in 2007
• Number of libraries receive LORI Delivery
  • 151 in 2001
  • 167 in 2006
  • 186 in 2007

Many thanks to the libraries who responded to the delivery survey.  The survey results provide us with valuable insight into the growth of the Rhode Island’s resource sharing activities.  The information will also be crucial for OLIS to plan for the new delivery contract in 2008.