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What Happens in Minitex Delivery?
The Minitex Delivery Unit processes incoming materials, sorts and packs outgoing materials
and picks up retrieved materials from all of the campus libraries at Wilson Library, Walter
Library and the Biomedical Library.
We receive our initial delivery of tubs before any staff arrives. The tubs are staged in
the Cavern Level loading dock of the Minnesota Library Access Center. At 7:00 AM, staff
load the staged tubs on the cavern level conveyor system that sends the tubs up to the
Minitex office.
As the morning progresses more tubs arrive. The U.S. Postal Service and UPS arrive sometime
between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM during the day. Every item that arrives is processed as
soon as it arrives. This makes for a faster turnaround time for materials moving throughout
the Minitex region.
Three times during each day one of our staff members drives the Minitex Delivery Unit Van
to Wilson Library to return discharged materials to all campus libraries, deliver filled
ILL borrowing requests to the Wilson Library Circulation office and pick up Minitex filled requests to
process and pack in the Minitex Overnight Delivery System.
During the day we make one stop each at Hennepin County Library—Minneapolis, Walter Library,
Magrath Library and the Biomedical Library to pick up filled requests. The last pick up at Wilson Library is
done at 8:00 PM This late pick up is to get as much into the delivery system as we can. Staff
is in the office packing tubs and loading the conveyor until 11:00 PM
Some of the material from the Minitex Overnight Delivery service is sorted, packed and sent from
our office for delivery the following morning. This allows for direct borrowing among participating
libraries. Minitex is constantly monitoring interlibrary loan traffic and expanding these
direct delivery services to meet the needs of our participants. Use the links at the top
of this page to learn more about these services.
Delivery Information for MnLINK/VDX
MnLINK/VDX ILL software allows libraries to share resources directly. The Minitex
Delivery Unit supports MnLINK/VDX resource sharing by providing the routing slip and
the sorting and transfer of the materials on the Minitex Overnight Courier System.
Using the MnLINK/VDX routing slip, libraries on MnLINK/VDX can place the materials
into the tub going to the Minitex office. At the Minitex office we will sort and transfer
the MnLINK/VDX materials on to the destination library.
We hope this collaborative effort will help libraries move materials quickly throughout
the state.
MnLINK/VDX Materials are items that are requested by and from libraries using the MnLINK/VDX
system. Filled and returned materials are sent to the Minitex office and are sorted by the
Minitex Delivery Unit. Some of these materials need to be processed by Minitex Staff, and
others can be delivered directly to the designated library.
Our participants who use this service can usually see items delivered in about 1-2 business
days. The routing slips that are used for MnLINK/VDX materials are tan.
Additional Services for Libraries
Delivery Information for MnPALS Libraries
MnPALS Direct Borrowing materials are items that are requested by MnPALS libraries from
other MnPALS libraries. Filled and returned materials are sent to the Minitex office
and are sorted by the Minitex Delivery Unit for delivery to other MnPALS libraries. Our
participants who use this service can usually see items delivered in about 1-3 business
days. The routing slips that are used for MnPALS Direct Borrowing are pink. These libraries
can change their lending status at any time.
Courtesy Return Service
The Courtesy Return Service provides a fast, efficient and cost effective means of
returning materials to their home library. The library that received the item sends
it to Minitex through our courier system.
To make use of this service, you must first check the list to determine whether the
home library is one included in the Minitex Overnight Delivery System—Courier
Libraries list. Proceed by inserting the orange routing form labeled "Courtesy Return"
into the item, with the correct three-letter code printed on the form. Finally, place
the item in the tub to be routed to Minitex. Once received, we will forward the item to
the home library.
CLIC Service
The CLIC Service allows materials to be routed quickly
and efficiently to and from the CLIC libraries and the Minitex Delivery System.