Circulation Committee Minutes – November 9, 2021

Allison polled libraries about how many include card expiration information or tell people they will need to renew their card periodically when they get a card. Some tell people, provide it in their welcome packet, and/or have it on their websites, but the patron gets so much information when they get a card and so much time passes before the card expires that they usually don’t remember.

Long intransit lists are processed from weekly to bi-monthly, but monthly by most libraries. If you haven’t done it recently and have questions, look on the IT Wiki or ask.

Nanny registration addresses are entered differently by different libraries and by particular situations. A nanny may get their own card for their own use and use the employer’s card to checkout for the family. Other factors include whether the nanny lives with the employer or elsewhere. Proof of address comes from the agency they work for or the employer. If the nanny lives in Westchester, they get a card in the library where they live. There is also a Stat Cat for nannies for patron and circulation stats. Using the “Who Can Use My Card” feature is very helpful for this.

Some libraries are going fine free. Fines are assessed according to the checkout library and the circ policies at that library. Renewals follow the original checkout library’s circ policies, including renewals at other libraries
and online. Any patron can pay any fine at any library and the accepting library can keep fines except lost and
damage fines. Those are forwarded to the owning library. Libraries that are going fine free can use amnesty
mode to prevent fines from being assessed, even if items are checked out at another library. If items checked
out at your library don’t have fines as expected, send in a help desk request. You may want to share language
with staff and patrons that fines may vary by where it’s checked out or kind of item.

Express items can be added in at least a 1:1 ratio with holdable copies, books preferably at 1:2 express:
holdable.

Temporary cards can be issued for a limited amount of time at any library. Information should be forwarded to the home library by fax or bins so that the permanent card can be mailed to the patron.

Automatic renewal notices are currently only available by email. Lindsay will look into whether auto renewals may be available by phone and/or SMS.

GRE’s new director is Christina Lindner and assistant director is Christa O’Sullivan.

The 2022 meeting schedule was set for Tuesdays, 9:30-11: January 11 (BDH-Alix), March 8 (PEK-Nora), May 10 (GRE-Laura), July 12 (OSS-Marie), September 13 (CHA-Marge), and November 15 (HHF-Katie).