Kudzu-Ops Mailing List: New Totes -- Same as the Old Totes

[John Burger (jburger]

Kudzu Friends:

 

As I think I mentioned briefly during our webinar yesterday, we have been looking at options for improving the pink tote bags used in the Kudzu courier system, to better protect library materials from damage during shipping. 

 

One of the issues has been water leakage.   Our current totes are neon pink nylon canvas which is semi-water-resistant, but leakage occurs pretty readily at the seams.  And if in contact with water for prolonged periods, water can leak through the nylon material itself.

 

We received a suggested new vendor for totes that promised better water resistance.  I received the sample tote late yesterday, and was hoping it would fare better than the neon pink totes we have bene using for the past 14 years.  Unfortunately, the new totes are made from nearly the exact same nylon material as the current (“old”) totes.  Plus they have gussets, which means they have more seams – that means more water leakage.  (And last but not least, the color is nowhere near as bright, which makes our current bags easy to spot.  See attached photo.)  I tested the bags at home last night and can tell you the new totes leak very readily.

 

So in the end – this option is not a good fit for our needs.  We will continue looking for better tote bags, and working with our courier vendor to minimize exposure to inclement weather.  If you have suggestions for tote bag suppliers, please send ‘em my way.

 

Last but not least:  We should be receiving the Ziploc bags from our friends at SC Johnson soon, which we will distribute to Lanter libraries ASAP as an additional layer of protection from water damage.

 

Please let me know any questions.  Thanks.

 

 

--jeb

 

John Burger, Executive Director

Association of Southeastern Research Libraries

   ASERL

   c/o Georgia State University Library - Administration Suite LS7

   100 Decatur Street SE

   Atlanta, GA 30303-3202

   Telephone:  404-413-2896

 

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