CUL - Main Content

These guidelines will help staff correctly process outgoing ReCAP returns.

Returns are picked up daily from Circulation by CUL's Shipping & Receiving Department. Bohren's Moving and Storage transfers items from Shipping & Receiving to ReCAP every business day except for University Holidays and during weather emergencies. Please consult the official list of non-delivery days and monitor CUL Notes for updates.

Some returns are made directly from deparment libraries for security purposes (RBML, Law, HSL and Avery D&A).

• Verify that barcodes on item and envelope match.
• Verify piece count. Items with piece count will have single off-site barcode on envelope/housing, not contents.
• If the barcodes or piece count do not match, contact the ReCAP Coordinator; include the barcode number(s).
• Verify that there is a pink RECAP sticker on every return.

• Use only Butler Circulation Desk to discharge ReCAP items.
• Holds/Recalls must be immediately routed to destination circ desk. Notification will be sent to patron the day following discharge. To avoid preemptive notification, choose "Cancel" from the pop-up dialog alert and route item via Return Direct. If staff choose "OK", have item immediately delivered to destination.
• Disregard routing slips.
• All returns should be staged in gray ReCAP totes for pick up by Shipping & Receiving. (Contact Zack Lane, zl2114@columbia.edu or (212) 851-5621, if your department prefers to send low-volume returns to Butler Circulation via Return Direct). 
• LITO staff run a weekly reconciliation to clear Item Status of ReCAP items. All "Charged" and "In Transit" status are corrected in CLIO once ReCAP confirms refile.

• When an item (monograph or serial) circulates from Offsite it should be examined to see if it needs first-time binding, repair, rebinding, reformatting, or replacement according to the same criteria used for materials shelved on campus. This includes items housed in Tyvek envelopes.
• If the item is in extremely poor condition, it should be routed for preservation immediately, and the patron should be encouraged to use Borrow Direct or ILL to locate a different copy. Otherwise, the item should be routed to Preservation after return.
• Follow guidelines in DCMM-904: Routing Offsite Volumes for Binding, Repair, Rebinding, Replacement, Microfilming, or Photocopy
• As of January 1, 2004, all paperback monographs (except Milstein items and U.S. Government documents with location off,docs) are sent for binding after patron return. If a U.S. Government document is damaged and needs to be bound, send to MPS with a note.
• Follow guidelines in DCMM-1104: Routing Circulated Paperback Monographs For Binding

• Flip blue destination card to display "RECAP."
• Pack books spine down in single layer across bottom of tote.
• If they are in envelopes, feel for the spine to determine orientation.
• Pack with green foam to prevent shifting during transit.
• Secure tote lid with a cable tie.
• Tote should be sealed and staged by 9:15am to be ready for pickup by Shipping & Receiving.

• If a volume is too large to fit in the tote spine down, place it flat in the tote.
• Oversize volumes can be stacked.
• Make sure that heavier volumes are on the bottom, lighter ones on the top.
• Use foam pieces on bottom and sides to prevent shifting during transit.

• Keep all boxes right side up inside the tote.
• Flat boxes can be stacked 2-3 high.
• Make sure that heavier or larger boxes are on the bottom, lighter or smaller ones on the top.
• Use foam pieces on bottom and sides to prevent shifting during transit.

• ReCAP Courier picks up returns every business day excluding University Holidays.
• See official list of non-delivery days and monitor CUL Notes for updates.
• Returns will be available for patron request within four (4) days.

• Keep totes flat and right side up at all times.
• Avoid dropping or tossing totes, even for short distances. The contents are frequently fragile and likely to be damaged easily.
• Totes may be stacked up to 3 high.
• When transporting oversize boxes or items that do not fit inside totes, never stack totes on top of the oversize boxes or items.