Students can drop it off like it's hot

If trekking all the way up the stairs of the Herman B Wells Library to return a book was difficult before, relief is in sight. The library is now offering three new book drops where students can return materials from any IU-Bloomington library on campus without even opening their car door. \nThe only problem is many students don't know the drop-offs are there. \n"We're (going to) try to get some signs so people will know they actually exist," said Pat Steele, Ruth Lilly interim dean of University Libraries. "This is just a first step." \nThe drop-offs will make it easier for students to return books and other media without having to find a parking space in a lot already crunched for space, Steele said. \nOne drop-off sits just south of the Wells library in the parking lot. Two more can be found nearly hidden in the landscaping north of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, where cars can pull in. Building manager Jim Champion said only four books have been deposited there so far.\nThe book drops, which are gray and about chest height, resemble giant mailboxes and have only a narrow slot to return materials.\nThe materials don't have to go to the library from where the books came, nor do books need separated from other materials, such as CDs and movies.\nMost students spending their early Thursday morning coffee break at the library had no knowledge of the book drops, which Steele said have been in place since Aug. 25. \nFreshman Tammy Marnell said the drop-offs would be a good idea if they were advertised and people knew about them. She suggested signs and flyers to promote them. \n"This is the first I've heard about it," said freshman Charles Corbin, who agreed that signs would help students know about the book drops.\nThe book drops themselves cost $21,000, with additional costs on preparing and implementing them. Each book drop can hold up to 500 books, Steele said. However, so far on an average day only about 100 books have been dropped off at the three book drops combined, said Eric Bartheld, associate director of development and external relations. \nBook drops have been put into service in the past, but not within the last decade, Steele said. Some of the problems with the old book drops will be eliminated with the new ones because of "design elements that soften the flight of the books," she said. \nFormer IU Student Association President and current student trustee Casey Cox said IUSA has been working for years to get the book drops in place. \n"Sometimes things take a little longer than they realize," Cox said. "You really have to credit the libraries and the last few IUSA organizations, including the current one." \nThe book drops help avoid costly parking fines and make students' lives a little more convenient, Cox said. \n"This is a step to make life easier," Steele said. "I hope it works out ... as people know about them"