Circulation Meeting 9/10/15

  • When issuing a new library card, it is important to check if patron has had a previous account
  • WLS is in the process of creating resources for patrons reentering the community. The website for resources and questions will be connections.westchesterlibraries.org.  Another helpful link through the WLS site is FirstFind.  Welcome cards will be made specifically for patrons reentering the community from prison.  They will be good for 6 months and have a 3 item limit and no holds.
  • Information on Senior Law Day was given out to post in each library
  • The new itype “Tablet-J” is for devices loaded with activities or materials for children and no holds allowed.
  • There are 2 new locations. “AF_Curated” (Curated Fiction)  and “J-Computer” (iPads, Tablets, etc).
  • Question about if there should be another attempt to remind patrons about holds expiring by calling them ourselves. Patrons already receive email reminders but many items still end up on the clean holds.
  • Clean holds should be sent out right away because the change in status takes place in Workflows automatically
  • Some issues with holds showing up as “available” but are actually missing
  • When there is a last copy that is lost or missing and is on hold for someone, the patron must be notified that they might not get it or that their hold is being removed. The hold will automatically expire in 1 year but the issue should be dealt with sooner, either by removing the hold or finding an alternative item for the patron, etc.
  • Melanie will produce the list of last copies quarterly. Watch for it in LIBREP logon
  • Issues with claims returned items such as blocking after a certain number. Libraries can individually block a patron after a certain amount.  The number that appears on the patron account does not decrease even if an item is found and checked in.  The number would have to be changed manually.  Different libraries have their own protocol before marking an item claims returned.  Many times patrons are still in possession of the item.  Items belonging to another library should not be marked without permission.
  • The wiki now has the circulation page under “services” and there is also a “training” tab. There is a “How-to” section, which can be searched, along with a help section and FAQs.  There are also printer icons on certain pages to make printing easier.
  • Allison Midgley will be helping with training on site and at WLS. She will be working on the wiki FAQs and can incorporate any questions that we have.  Increasing communication is a goal and she welcomes emails with questions/concerns.  She can be a resource for many things including refreshers for circ, tech services, the public catalogue and downloadable material.
  • There are now function key shortcuts in Workflows that can be found on the wiki
  • HAR will be reopening, SCA is starting to raise funds for renovations, LAR will renovate soon as well and OSS has a new director
  • There is a google excel sheet that has been created to try to keep track of items from different libraries that have missing parts. It can be added to or edited by any library and might help with trying to combine missing parts.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dlVmKnmmAbPKGc2sjfE9W9xyhFnuGd1jTLQg0kRawzs/edit?usp=sharing
  • Lost items that are paid for should stay in the system as lost and not be changed to “missing”
  • DVDs with 3 or more discs in a set should be circulated together as one item and loaned out for 2 weeks. If a patron is not given 2 weeks it is ok to modify the due date
  • Receiving locked AV items for holds can be an issue
  • BRO is having a hard time with patrons checking out all of their video games and not returning them
  • Libraries can only have their own patrons barred The next meeting will be on Nov. 12th
  • The next meeting will be on Nov. 12th