July started with a “bang” with the launch of Kansas Library Express. It connects more than 200 libraries throughout Kansas with a convenient and cost effective delivery service. Kansas Library Express is a service of the participating libraries, the State Library of Kansas, and the regional systems of cooperating libraries.
Kansas Library Express libraries have reported sending over 30,000 items through the service in just the first month of operation. In most cases, items shipped from any library in the state will be received by the requesting library on their next delivery day. For example, a book picked up in Goodland on Monday would be delivered to Chanute on Wednesday. This is the goal of the service — rapid delivery of materials requested by Kansans throughout the state.
The first month saw a few bumps in the road including schedule changes, redesigned labels, and modified delivery routes. As library staff and the courier service begin to find what works best, a page of “Tips and Tricks” have been shared. See the Kansas Library Express website for these essential hints to librarians using the service: http://kslibexpress.mykansaslibrary.org/tips-and-tricks/
Teri Nelson is the Staff Assistant at NEKLS. You can reach her by email (tnelson (at) nekls.org), phone, or on the Google Chat instant messaging platform (look Teri up by her email address). Visit the 
