Director Shelly Lowery-Rowan reminds mailers of the postage-rate increase that takes effect Monday. The rate for first-class mail increases a penny -- to 42 cents – and rates for standard mail, periodicals, packing services and special services also rise.

In the short term, Lowery-Rowan said her staff will adjust postage on small mailings and then turn to the department responsible for the mailing for a payback. Larger mailings may be held up.

"Mail that comes to us short of the current postage rate is either sent back to the sender or adjusted by us to reflect the correct postage," she said. "In cases where we apply more postage, we bill the sender the difference."

Lowery-Rowan encourages everyone to look for ways to save money on mail.

"I recommend taking advantage of non-profit rates and bulk rates (minimum 200 pieces of mail) as much as possible," she said. "Although mail rates are increasing, there are always ways to save money on postage."

Lowery-Rowan had another piece of advice: Customers who want to avoid the 1 cent increase for first-class mail can stock up on Forever Stamps, which will be sold for 41 cents until Monday. The stamps are good in perpetuity.

For more information on the rate changes, call Mail Service at 740-593-1850, visit www.usps.com/prices/ or see http://pe.usps.com/2008_RateCase/DMM/ratesandfees.pdf.

--George Mauzy