Overdue Books and Computer Use

Overdue Books and Computer Use

Just a reminder folks, if a patron has an overdue book, regardless of the amount of their fine, they are unable to use the computers. Try to renew the book for them if possible, but if it is not possible, they will have to purchase a guest pass if they want to use the computers.

Even if their account balance is less than $2, they still cannot use the computer with an overdue book on their account.

The Reference Desk staff cannot and will not "override" people's accounts to allow them to use the computers, no matter what the patron's story is.

Renewals

LS2 updates coming soon!  With the last update we started seeing a glitch in multiple renewals…..Example: a patron has borrowed 25 books, they want to renew them all, you select all, click renew and a box pops up asking for the password b/c the fine limit has been reached. You enter the password and suddenly you have accidentally renewed an item for the 3^rd time…..I know we all were caught off guard when this happened.

 

With the new update (coming soon) this should not happen anymore!

Definition of a Reference Question

A reference transaction is an information contact which involved the knowledge, use, recommendations, interpretation, or instruction in the use of one or more information sources by a member of the library staff. It includes information and referral services. Information sources include print and non-print materials or records, and through communication or referral, other libraries and institutions and people inside and outside the library. The request may come in person or by any other means by a person of any age.
Do not count directional transactions or questions of rules or policies.

That's a whole lot of jargon, but what may help more is to determine what is not a reference question:
•Messages (to pull hold requests) 
•Renewal of items checked out 
•Checking items in/out 
•Creating guest passes 
•Looking up library card numbers 
•Directional assistance (where are the biographies, bathroom, etc) 

If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.

ILL Renewal Procedures

ILL (inter-library loan) items should not be renewed in the circulation system, and requests for/or inquiries about renewals should be referred to the Information Desk at HQ and handled at circulation at the branches.

Please do not send calls about renewals to the History Room, instead send requests to the Information Desk at HQ.

Stories To Go Items

Do not renew Stories To Go books! No fine is charged to the patron for overdue Stories To Go items, but they do receive a hand written notice for the cost of the items from the Book Mobile.

Renewals

Please renew books when patrons ask (if they have not reached the renewal limit).  We have had a lot of renewals not being done properly over the phone--items aren't being renewed on time or are being missed.  Do not say everything has been renewed until it is verified on the screen that it is renewed.

Check if Items Need to be Renewed

When a patron checks out, please scroll through their items to see if anything needs to be renewed soon.  They might have forgotten about the previous due date.  *Or, ask if they have anything they need to renew.