[Michlib-l] Responses to Bins for STEM Kits

Tue Jun 11 18:09:29 EDT 2019

Hi Everyone, 

Here are the responses I received regarding STEM Kit Bins: 
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This is the brand we use for NASA @ My Library and so far, so good: 
[ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.amazon.com_gp_product_B003LJSKMC_ref-3Doh-5Faui-5Fdetailpage-5Fo00-5Fs00-3Fie-3DUTF8-26amp-3Bth-3D1&d=DwQGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=a0nI5gNg_nTWPuN06AleCctM2ipyS3V86Na15J1xWQg&m=jm5Wfb7ezlid7KDGTXWPWD6c31eycMzlRkDtBwv06pI&s=dS29x_ieaZcc10SR4TVDc6Ind3xDuBOhEKgxT5ad7w0&e= | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LJSKMC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 ] 

All different sizes. 

Cathy, Library of Michigan 

We have used a variety sterlite, ziploc and some off brands without any issues. If it feels cheap I don't purchase it. In some cases being able to stack them is a priority if we have multiple items with similar contents, sometimes the priority is the size needed to fit an unusual item. other times having a handle for a bulky/heavy item takes priority. The items are often checked out and we have only had one issue with a case. 

Have fun! We love having the unusual items to offer. 

Brenda, Highland 

I bought the IRIS 12 quart "stack and pull" style with a locking lid. It's not quite the same as their weather tight style, but figured they're probably somewhat similar. 

We were able to get them for a nice price on Amazon, they're more sturdy than the basic flimsy plastic box, they stack great, and I love the handles. However, one (out of six) did get a crack in it's lid while it was being shuffled between library branches, so they're not super sturdy. 

Maren, Warren 

We use clear bags like this [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.amazon.com_Large-2DClear-2DTote-2DSmall-2DPouch_dp_B00BYF86VA_ref-3Dmp-5Fs-5Fa-5F1-5F3-3Fkeywords-3Dclear-2Btote-2B20-25E2-2580-259D-26amp-3Bqid-3D1557021934-26amp-3Bs-3Dgateway-26amp-3Bsr-3D8-2D3&d=DwQGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=a0nI5gNg_nTWPuN06AleCctM2ipyS3V86Na15J1xWQg&m=SBnaiyrJpkbjd4Ddnp89aPprMFXhMy6H1c6juUwRrCs&s=8L3Csx8mEUpJIszQ832AGkiGqwsgmE0ITlUdJVeEOUI&e= | https://www.amazon.com/Large-Clear-Tote-Small-Pouch/dp/B00BYF86VA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=clear+tote+20%E2%80%9D&qid=1557021934&s=gateway&sr=8-3 ] for Play Kits and STEM Kits and they’ve held up pretty well. Patrons can see what’s inside, they’re easy to wipe down and easy to carry. 

Jodi, Ypsilanti 

These are the bags we use: [ http://www.shopjanway.com/sub-productlist010.asp?id=1752&cid= | http://www.shopjanway.com/sub-productlist010.asp?id=1752&cid= ] 

Jessica, Romulus 

We have purchased several sizes of the IRIS WeatherTight bins for our circulating kits and I love them! They're clear so that patrons can see what's inside; the lids fit really well and they're supposedly waterproof; and the sides don't have any texture so that you can tape labels to them. I found them through the Container Store but sometimes you can find them on Amazon as well (usually in sets of 4 or 6). 

Jessica, Chelsea 

Jocelyn Levin, MLIS 
Youth and Teen Services Librarian 
jlevin at lyon.lib.mi.us 

Lyon Township Public Library 
27005 Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 
[ callto:248.437.8800 | 248.437.8800 ] Ext. 615 
[ http://www.lyon.lib.mi.us/ | www.lyon.lib.mi.us ] 

On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 8:33 PM Jocelyn Levin via Michlib-l < [ mailto:michlib-l at mcls.org | michlib-l at mcls.org ] > wrote: 

Hello Library Friends, 

If your library has purchased bins or boxes or other containers of some type to house circulating materials like STEM kits, could you please let me know what brands you have been happy with, as well as if there are any that have not worked well for your library? I'm looking to purchase about twenty and I want them to be sturdy enough to last. So far, I've been considering Sterilite ClearView, Ziplock WeatherShield, IRIS WeatherTight, and Rubbermaid Roughneck, but I'm open to suggestions. 

Thanks for your willingness to share your experience! 

Sincerely, 
Jocelyn 

Jocelyn Levin, MLIS 
Youth and Teen Services Librarian 
[ mailto:jlevin at lyon.lib.mi.us | jlevin at lyon.lib.mi.us ] 

Lyon Township Public Library 
27005 Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 
[ callto:248.437.8800 | 248.437.8800 ] Ext. 615 
[ http://www.lyon.lib.mi.us/ | www.lyon.lib.mi.us ] 
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