Rotation: Frequently Asked Questions

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HOW DO I KNOW WHEN ROTATIONS WILL BE MADE?

A list of delivery dates for the year is provided. This is usually sent out with the November deliveries. You will also receive a reminder postcard approximately a week prior to each delivery.

WHAT MIXTURE OF BOOKS IS SENT ON ROTATION?

The exact mixture of books sent out varies on each Rotation route and is based on the averages requested by a survey of all the libraries on the route. However, each Rotation includes the following types of books:

  • Fiction- 2½ – 3 boxes, depending on the route
  • Nonfiction- ½- 1½ boxes
  • Westerns- 1- 2½ boxes
  • Large print- 2½- 3 boxes
  • Juvenile ½- 1 box
  • Easy ½- 1 box
  • Young Adult approximately ½ box

HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR A ROTATION?

  1. Go through the Rotation section in your library to make sure none of your own books are there. If you take Rotation out of the wooden boxes, put them back in before each delivery.
  2. Put like books together in the same box (nonfiction, fiction, westerns, juvenile, easy, and large print).
  3. 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 are now labeling each set of boxes we send out. This will let you know what type of book to put in each box.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE BOOKS THAN WILL FIT IN THE BOXES?

Place the overflow in a cardboard box. Put the cardboard box by the other Rotation books.

MAY I PUT THE BOOKS ON OUR SHELVES?

Yes. 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 them on your shelves, go right ahead. Just be sure they are back in the boxes for the next Rotation date.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT LOST, DAMAGED, OR SOILED BOOKS?

If one of your patrons loses or ruins a book, 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?

Just 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 mailing 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.

WHAT’S NEEDED TO START ROTATION SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY?

If a town is unserved by a public library, a book drop can be set up if a responsible group or individual will oversee it. The main requirements are that a secure location be provided, that regular hours be established during which residents can check out books, that someone be responsible for checking books in and out and contacting those with overdue books, and that someone prepare the books for each Rotation. In some communities, book drops have been in senior citizen centers or city hall. In one town, an elementary school provides the location and a club takes care of the books. We are eager to work with any community in Southeast Kansas which desires this service.

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 bag or box and mark them SEK–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.