CIRCULATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

POLL
  • Discussion of a rule that was in effect during COVID in which people were able to continue to use Libby even after their cards had expired. Some libraries had not been aware that the rule had ever been in effect. Nobody expressed any interest in keeping the rule after two years.
  • Do any libraries have a QR code on their library cards that link to their library’s website? No one answered affirmatively.
UPDATES/DEMOS
  • Notes, Alerts and Blocks: At this point, all notes, alerts and blocks on a patron’s record are visible to the whole system, not to just the home library. This allows all libraries to see pertinent patron information, not only the library that created the note.
  • Patron Registration
    • Inquiry whether libraries use the online registration form.
    • The Evergreen form URL will change when the old catalog is disabled. It will update automatically for libraries that use it, but we recommend that they verify that the link is correct in the various places that they use it (website, newsletters, etc).
  •  When a patron is transitioning, put their new name in the preferred name field, and their formal name (the one on their ID) in the First Name field or notes.
  • The Register Patron, Edit, and Online Registration pages are all connected; changes in one page affect the other pages.
    • While customization by library is possible, it isn’t feasible in our consortial environment.
    • Allison will send out a survey which will show all the fields in the Register Patron page, so libraries can indicate whether a particular field is required, used all the time, rarely used or never used.  This will help in possible future revisions to the Register Patron page.
  • Demonstration of Solarwinds, how to access it, how to keep track of tickets that are active or closed, and how to access the knowledge base in Solarwinds.
REMINDERS
  • Updating a patron barcode? Unless a patron record displays a unique username that a patron set up, copy the barcode to the username field to match the new barcode.
  • Fine Free Libraries
    • Policies follow the checkout library, no matter where the items originate or who owns them.
    • If the owning library is not fine free but the checkout library is, the item will be fine free no matter where it’s checked in.
    • When an item is renewed, it follows the checkout rules.
    • If an item is checked in at a fine-free library, the check-in library may waive fines for items that were checked out at libraries that are not fine free.
  • IT Wiki Circulation Contacts List. Please review and update the information for your library. If you don’t have edit access, please contact Allison M.
DISCUSSION
  • Receipt paper: the receipt paper used in our printers is coated with microplastics, and it is possible to get phenol-free thermal receipt paper, which we should consider using. Lori at BRI supplied information:
  • GLKR: Greenburgh’s lockers are very successful.  There are 61 of them, and at least twice a week they’re completely full. If other libraries are interested in doing something like this, Greenburgh’s experience is positive.
NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2023, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Respectfully Submitted,

Nora Mulligan,

Head of Adult Service

The Field Library, Peekskill