• Delivery service will be provided between 8am and 5pm on the scheduled day of service.
• All prepared items in a green RIDES tote will be picked up each scheduled day of service
  • Notify via RIDES Assistance form if the outgoing load is larger than normal.
• All incoming items will be delivered in a green RIDES tote each scheduled day of service.

For more information, see Joining RIDES.

Submit your request via the RIDES Assistance form.

• It is based on the volume of materials at the site. We created a matrix that uses MeLCat reports, local shared system reports of interlibrary loan, library reports to the Library of Michigan about interlibrary loan, and other data. The number may not match the exact number of items you send and receive in RIDES, but it is an equalized measure that we can use for comparison of library usage.
  • Libraries with a volume number of 1,000 or less have the option of choosing 2 or 3 days per week of service.
  • Libraries with volume numbers between 1,000 and 10,000 have the option of choosing 3 or 5 days per week of service.
  • Libraries with a volume number of 10,000 or more are required to participate with 5 days of service per week.

To make the pricing more equitable.

To offer this service to Michigan libraries at an affordable price we have had to make concessions. For example, library materials are shipped with a variety of items — medical, office supplies, etc. — to lower the cost. Dedicated service (firmly scheduled day and time of delivery) costs would triple the current charge. We expect our contracted courier to deliver to libraries between 8am and 5pm, but we cannot ask for a specific time of delivery. The courier schedules driver routes with the intent to deliver on prearranged days and often they arrive at or near the same time every day, but there is no guarantee.

• For best results search by MeL Agency code (z code).
• See Participants for a list of abbreviated names.
• If a library does not appear on the label maker, they no longer participate in RIDES. Contact RIDES Assistance if you need help.

• 100 - Grayling
• 101 - Upper Peninsula transfer site
• 200 - Grand Rapids
• 300 - Kalamazoo
• 400 - Flint
• 500 - Royal Oak
• 700 - Jackson

• MeLCat items must have a paging slip with the patron information and a MeLCat identifier, either a book band or a removable sticker.
• Everything shipped via RIDES must have a current RIDES shipping label created with the RIDES label maker. The RIDES shipping label is for the use of the courier sorters and drivers and designed for efficiency in sorting and delivery.

Information including contact, hub zone, and RIDES code is available on the RIDES Participating Libraries page.

No Pack shows on the RIDES label maker search screen and prints on the shipping label.

Libraries or cooperatives that are a pick/up and drop/off site for other libraries using a local delivery system are 'central delivery sites' and the libraries they service are 'sub-libraries'. The delivery address on the RIDES shipping label is the central delivery site where RIDES provides direct delivery service.

Because of space constraints, some library systems with branches have been abbreviated on the RIDES shipping label maker. When in doubt, select the following:

A fuel surcharge is a transportation industry standard to cover costs when the cost of gas goes beyond a certain point.

Yes. Our courier will add a 10% surcharge if diesel fuel reaches $5.01 or more per gallon.

If a fuel surcharge is necessary, MCLS will invoice once every 6 months. For example, if the price of gas is above $5.00 for six months, the charge for a library paying a yearly cost of $1683.00 is $84.15 -- the yearly cost divided in half ($841.50) then multiplied by 10%.

Monthly and quarterly invoices are labor intensive and not cost effective. Annual billing would be a burden for libraries. Semi-annual billing is our best alternative.

The average cost of gas per month is based on the average weekly price of gas as reported by AAA of Michigan fuel gauge index.