I'm fairly new, and want to make sure not to violate anything, and make sure I do things right.

Last week I sent a book out, only to realize a few days later that the book that was requested was still on my desk, and that another one was missing. I sent the wrong book! When I realized this, I immediately sent the requestor a message, told her what I had done and that I would get the correct book out to her Monday (today). In my message I told her to keep the book I sent as an apology. I haven't had a response yet, saying that this was acceptable, or anything...no response!

I have another book to be sent to a different requestor.

Unfortunately due to this artic front that came through, we have temps (-4 to -25) that have never been seen in my area, and my little town is basically shut down. With the rain and snow combined with below freezing temps, It's impossible for me to get into town.

How should I handle these two books, especially when the requestor doesn't respond to my message. I just want to make sure I don't get any negative marks against me, or dissatisfied requestors.

Thanks

In your PM to the person, did you ask for a response? Or did you just say something about mailing the correct book to them? Because unless you said something like "I will wait to hear from you if this is OK ..." ... the other person may just have assumed that you are mailing the correct book to her and that she doesn't need to answer you.

Next time, if you discover the problem right away after you mail, just mail out the correct book right away along with the PM.

On the other hand, it becomes more dicey if a couple weeks have gone by .. .and in that case, you should both contact the book requestor first, plus see if they are still going to want the book before you mail it. Technically, you are "late mailing" at that point and the rules do say that you need to contact the book requestor before you do so. So, now that you have already waited ... I woudl send another PM, this time ask for an answer if you didn;t ask for one before, and then if you don;t get an answer right away, at least you will probably get one when the wrong book arrives.

As far as PM responses go, keep in mind that some members here don't have computers. They may be using a library computer once or twice a week, or perhaps one at work, so they don't have 24/7 access to a computer.  Or they may be on vacation for the holidays. Any time you send a PM, it may be days before you get a response, so keep that in mind if the question you need to ask involves some type of deadline, like a mailing deadline. The site guidelines are that you should generally give people about 5 days to respond to PMs.

As far as the 2nd book request goes ... if you have not already picked a mailing date, then pick one as far out as you can. If the mailing date is already selected, then what I would do is wait until the last moment, mark the book mailed, and then the site gives you 48 hours AFTER the book is marked mailed to actually get it in the mail.  There is a cushion there ... so you can use it is you need to. And, weather is a perfect reason to need to use the cushion.

Sara nailed it.  One additional thing -- if you think you may be losing power or internet connectivity due to the nasty weather you are having, mark the book "mailed" before the deadline and before the storm, and then try to actually mail it within four days.  But don't put yourself in any danger -- don't risk a fall on the ice for a book!

Thank you both very much. Very helpful.