RIDES Policies

Mission Statement

Participation and Responsibilities

1. Participation is open to any public, academic, school, special library, library cooperative, school district, ISD, or REMC in the state and does not require membership in the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS).
2. Participating libraries are required to abide by the RIDES policies and procedures. Consequences of non-compliance are available on the RIDES Procedures site. 
   
3. Participation in MeLCat is not required for participation in the delivery service.
4. Libraries may join RIDES on a monthly basis, beginning the 1st of every month.
5. Shipping supplies, excluding containers, are the responsibility of the local libraries.
6.  Libraries that participate as 'No Pack' accept full financial responsibility for their own items. 'No Pack' libraries may not invoice borrowing libraries, or the courier, for lost or damaged materials.
7. Routine communication is primarily done via an electronic email listserv, maintained by the MCLS staff.
8. Updates, announcements, forms, and general information are available on the web site.
9. Each participating library is required to have an official contact person as well as someone on the email listserv.
10. A users group, which meets on a regular basis, gives feedback to the MCLS staff responsible for delivery. The users group is open to any participating library staff.

Minimum delivery schedule

1. Every participant must agree to a minimum of 2 daily stops per week.
2. Volume will be reviewed on a regular basis and MCLS reserves the right to require additional stops per week or increase prices, if necessary.
3. Libraries will be able to add or decrease the number of stops on a quarterly basis.
4. Service will be provided Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless the courier and the participating library agree to a different time period. The exception is major holidays, which are posted on the website.

Contract and Payment

1. Participants in RIDES will be assessed an annual fee, as outlined in the Participation Agreement.
2. Program fees are designed to encourage participation and include courier costs as well as administrative overhead costs.
3. Participants may pay the fee themselves or payment may be made on their behalf by another entity, such as a REMC or a cooperative.
4. The annual subscription contract runs from July 1 to June 30. Schools may select 9 month service from September through May.
5. Subscription renewal is automatic. The library must ask to stop service by June 1.
6. No refunds or credits are issued for missed days of delivery.
7. Credit is issued to libraries who suspend service for at least one month, or experience a service disruption of at least one month. Libraries will inform MCLS at least 2 weeks prior to closing. Emergency closings are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Deliverables

1. Participating libraries may use RIDES to ship any circulating materials from their collection and photocopies of articles, book chapters, and other non-returnables.
2. Courier will deliver other materials, such as library equipment, with charges paid by the library. Contact the courier directly for rates.
3. Participants must agree not to send any materials prohibited by the USPS. Participants must agree not to send letters prohibited by 39 CFR 310.

Program Administration

1. Problems will be reported to both the courier service and MCLS via the RIDES Assistance form. A procedure for participants to pursue unresolved problems is posted on the website under ‘Procedures/Delivery Site Responsibilities’.
2. Reimbursement for lost or damaged materials in transit; the courier will insure shipments up to the value of $100. See the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States for the responsibilities of lending and borrowing libraries. Additional insurance may be purchased by the library through the carrier for items valued above $100. The library will pay the courier directly for this additional insurance.
3. MCLS is responsible for billing, training, statistical gathering and dissemination, problem resolution, and communication.
4. Training is provided in the most cost effective means possible (via web-based meeting tools, in-person, or via videoconferencing).
5. Shipping containers are provided by the courier.
6. MCLS staff manage the participating library agreements.
7. MCLS staff manage the contract with the courier.
8. MCLS staff manage the users group.

Training

1. Participants receive delivery training coordinated by MCLS.
2. Shipping guidelines for all libraries are available on the RIDES Procedures site.
3. A start-up kit with instructions is provided when libraries begin the service.

Evaluation

1. The program will be reviewed annually. Surveys, focus groups, and other instruments may be used to determine the value of the service.
2. A feedback form is available to give suggestions. Participating libraries are expected to take part in reviews, surveys, and evaluations.