Large Print Rotation

This program distributes large print reading materials for all ages to select Arrowhead Library System member libraries. The Rotating Collection supplements the collections of participating libraries to help  meet the needs of local users. The collection is weeded and constantly replenished with new books to keep it current. Every ten weeks libraries exchange 70 books to supplement their collection making over 350 new titles available each year. 

Large Print Rotation Schedule 

Large Print Rotation Instructions - Downloadable PDF

 Karrie Treichel • karrie.treichel@alslib.info • 218-741-3840

Send a packet

First, you need to make sure all the books you have on your shelf are in your packet. Collect your large print books.

• Under the Administration tab, under Group Editor Menu, select Item Group Editor.

• Under indexes, Barcode will be highlighted. Leave that highlighted, and check the box for Append List.

• Make sure your cursor is in the box, then scan all your books. They will be visible in the screen behind the box.

• When you've scanned them all, click the x on the upper right to close the box with the indexes.

• You'll see a list of all the books you scanned. Check to see that they have the number of the packet your library is supposed to have under copy/volume. If they don't, pull them out because they don't belong with the packet. You can send those to me in delivery - put ALV, attn Karie on a NEMIDS slip. Don't change anything in Horizon. If there isn't a packet number in the copy/volume field, also, please send them to me.

• Close out the list, then close the editor. Then, on to the next step!

Next, you are going to place your packet in transit.

• Under the Administration tab, click on the Group Editor Menu, select Item Group Editor.

• Scroll down and select copy/volume from the indexes. You'll find the packet list by typing LGPT PKT {your packet number in the "Search For box right under the list of indexes. Select search.

• The group editor will list all the books in your packet. At the bottom there is a total number, which eventually will be 70 after some changes ripple through the packets in late 2025 and early 2026. All of the books should list your library as the location, allgpt as the collection, and al21 as the ITYPE. The collection code and ITYPE should not be changed, only the location.

  • • IMPORTANT--If they do not have your location listed AND are not with your books, please email me the barcode, title, and what its wrong location was and I will take care of them. Hopefully, these "orphans" are few and far between! Please de-select these orphans from the next steps and send them to me.

• Press control-a to select all of the titles. They all should be blue, then select the Edit button at the bottom. Horizon will ask if you'd like to make a change to all items selected; yes, you do, so click OK.

• On the next screen, you'll make a few changes:

  • Location - enter code for where you are sending the packet

  • CKI Notes - enter ROTATE ON next date

  • Rotate Date - copy next rotation date

  • Click on Save, then close this box. Your changes should be reflected.

• Close the box, then close the editor. Go to the Check-In page and scan each book. That puts it into transit to the next location. The next rotate date should show with each book. Pack in the blue totes and label each box for its destination

  • • IMPORTANT--The updates to this process are to catch the books that are checked out when your packet rotates. Changing their location in this manner routes them to their next location regardless of where they get returned.

Receive a packet

This is the easy part! Just check them in using the check in screen. All the changes should have been made to the information prior to sending them.

Sometimes a rotate date doesn’t get changed. You can fix that in the group editor by following the steps above if it’s the whole packet, or edit the items individually by using F2 (Item → Find Item), selecting the right one and then editing using F10 (Send To  → Copy/Item List → your item) if it’s just one or two books.

To Print Packet Lists

Under the Administration tab, under Group Editor Menu, select Item Group Editor.

Select copy/volume, then type in your packet, LGPT PKT [your packet number].

Select Display

Several fields are automatically selected. A list can be generated and printed including any of the desired fields. If you’re printing a list to send to the next library, for example, you might like to include just the barcode, title, call number and status. On the lists that accompany the packets sent from ALV, I have started to include status so the library checking them in knows if any were checked out when the packet left ALV.

Once you have selected your desired fields, press OK.

The list can then be sorted by whichever field you’d like, and printed using the printer icon on the menu at the top or selecting print in the dropdown menu. The printed lists that come from ALV are sorted once by call number and once by title.

Other Notes

While the non fiction and the juvenile fiction were removed from the packets, they were not discarded. I can easily assemble a selection for your library as a mini packet for you to have on your shelves. Just call or email me and I’m happy to get that for you.

If you ever notice a damaged book, please send it back to me and I will replace it in your packet.

If you notice a book that’s overdue or has gone to lost, send me an email or call me. I’ll remove it from the packet and send a replacement for the packet. I’m checking for these when I add new acquisitions to the packets, but you may see them before I do.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.