Category: Circulation News

https://doodle.com/poll/7awxrvx32rg9wchh?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link

Attention Library Clerks, Associates and Assistant Librarians:

Something has come up unexpectedly, and Riddhi will not be able to work at the library after November 11th for an unknown amount of time. For the first month, at least, I am really hoping that we can rally together to try and pick up most of her shifts on a temporary sub basis.

The above link is a Doodle poll with the available shifts for the first month. If you can work part of a shift listed, please shoot me an email and we can see if that will work with desk coverage.

Please email me if you have any other questions.

As part of our workroom re-organization, we have made some changes to the the Pre-shelving area. We have added some signage to help you find what you are looking for. We have also put up post it notes that can help you find an item’s new location.

1. Readers pouches and Readers Orange/Pink have moved one shelf over to the right.
2. Readers Blue/Purple have moved next to Readers Yellow/Green.
3. Board Books have been moved to the right of YA shelves.
4. Book + CD (bags) have been moved under board books.
5. Junior Music CDs have been moved under the Book + CD hanging shelf.
6. The Technical Services shelf (ILL/Book Clubs) has moved to the right most shelf unit (where repairs used to sit)
7. Adult displays shelf has moved right under the new Technical Services shelf location.
8. The Repair shelf has moved right under the Circ. Check-in clock.

Here are two common scenarios that come up with ILL and TV Series and the best way to explain it to patrons. You can always grab Molly or Denise if you have questions.

Can I order all the seasons of this TV show via Interlibrary Loan?  While we can place up to five ILL requests for patrons at a time, it is helpful to talk patrons through the ILL process:

Remind them that each season might be borrowed from another library. We can’t guarantee which season will arrive first or what the due dates will be. It is not uncommon for the last season to arrive a week or more before the first season and to be due back within days of the first season arriving.

I always strongly recommend that they request no more than two or three seasons at a time. Then when they finish a season, they can call or visit us to request the next season (up to five at a time).

Why are we giving some people longer than the standard two-week circ time for TV Series? I want to watch this season and isn’t due for almost a month? Patrons wanting the next season in a TV Series can be frustrated to see that the due date is more than two weeks out.  ILL accounts (libraries that borrow our materials for their patrons) are given a standard check-out period of 30 days for DVDs/Blu-rays/TV Series and 60 days for all other materials. This is to allow extra room for delivery and processing to and from the libraries.

Starting today we will be pre-shelving the YA Fiction and Graphic Novels on the narrow shelving on the wall where the CD cases used to be (next to where the check-in desk used to be).  We will not be shelving YA directly to the cart.

Review returned materials for damages

• Disregard normal wear and tear that does not prevent someone from reading, listening to, or viewing the item. If uncertain, check in the item, update the circulation status to “in repair” and place on the repair shelf.
• If an item appears damaged (i.e. dog chewed, major tears, stained), check it in, update the circulation status to “in repair” and place the item on the repair shelf.
• If an item is wet or moist or disgusting, check it in, update the circulation status to “in repair” place in a plastic bag on the repair shelf.
• The repair staff will take care of billing and repair.

Tips for talking with patrons about fees during Food-for-Fines:

How do I quickly find and add up the eligible fees on a patron’s account? Here is a step-by-step guide for adding up fines and how to accept payment with food/personal care items. I’ve also printed it for the desks.

Remember to encourage patrons with lost items (You’ll see Replacement/Processing fees) to return items. Those fees can be reduced to a fine of $5, or less, per item, if they are returned. It is never too late to bring items back to the library.

We are collecting Food-for-Fines items at the Circulation Desk behind the Self-Check Kiosk.

Thursday Night Book Club meets on September 9th. They will be distributing copies of the book to discuss next month, Hamnet. While we typically have copies of the next book club book available a few days before the meeting, we are going to wait until 09/09/2021 to mark these as available because we don’t want all the copies snatched up before the book club crew gets the opportunity to get theirs.

With that being said, some book club members are used to picking up their copy a little early. If someone asks for the next month’s Thursday Night Book Club book, to be discussed in Ocotober,  you can grab a copy from Lori E’s desk. You will need to check it in before you can check it out to them. They don’t have to prove that they are in the book club or will attend the October meeting. Basically, if they ask, they can have one but we are keeping them less visible. Does that make sense?

Let me know if you have questions. When in doubt – error on the side of access 🙂

We no longer need to put it out.

Those that wish to use curbside should be instructed to call the main phone number for assistance.

The curbside cell phone is forwarding calls to the main library number.

When patrons call the curbside phone number, the call will be forwarded to the main library number.

• If you get a call for curbside pickup, please get the patron’s name and check how many holds they have.
• Let them know that you will gather their items and where you will leave them:
  • 1. Between the sliding glass doors
  • 2. on the picnic table outside the library.
• Check out the holds to the patron’s account and sack them in a paper bag.
• Put the holds out for the patron.

If you are very busy at a desk, please gather the information from the patron and don’t hesitate to ask a circ staff member to help you gather and deliver the items.

As most of you know, the book sale iPad has been freezing and otherwise acting up. In order to see if the problems are caused by the iPad or the Paypal app, I’ve temporarily pulled the iPad and replaced it with the curbside phone. Please use the phone for book sale purchases and let me know if it has any trouble.

Hi All,

Dreama is aware that there is an error message coming up, from time to time saying that a printer driver needs to be installed. We are working to fix the issue.

In the meantime, please just move to another computer until you find one that will print. Generally, they are not all impacted at once.

The issue will self-resolve after a few minutes and the printer will work again.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Since we are going to be locking the meeting room doors, Eric has added a key that will unlock the meeting room doors. I added a “master” sticker to it. It is on the keyring that we keep in the card catalog.

The new card reader is now connected to the Foundation book sale ipad. Refer to the cheat-sheet next to it for information on swiping, tapping, and inserting cards.

Book Sale Reminders:

The most important thing is to put book sale money in the Foundation cash register.

• Don’t stress about what to charge for books. If you aren’t sure if the book is a junior/young adult item or an adult item, you can just charge the lower price.
• The prices are listed on the iPad for you to reference.
• Don’t worry if you get the free books mixed up with the book sale books.

__________________________

Opening and Closing :

Opening – Please remember to turn on the lights in The Commons. There is a separate light switch.

Closing – Please throw away the unused computer passes at the end of the day. They will not work the next day and often get mixed in with the newly printed passes in the morning.

Please initial the copies of the procedres at the desk and reference them at opening and closing.

I’ve ordered a new card reader for the iPad where we accept payment for Foundation Book Sale items. In addition to swiping cards, the reader also allows payment via chip and tap. Please take a look at the video linked below sometime in the next week or so to become familiar with how it works.

Since we no longer have the bouncer desk, I have updated the opening and closing procedures. I have printed for the Circ Desk. *Please initial the copies at the Circ Desk after you have reviewed them*

Key points:

• Circ staff will  open the front doors when we open
• Circ staff will  lock the front doors (both sliding glass doors) when we close
• Please put out the curbside sign when we open
• Please take in the curbside sign when we close
• At close, circ staff will gather material from tables and carts in the east half (adult services) of the library that need to be marked in-house use.

The procedures are also located at P:\Circulation\Procedures\Opening and Closing

Thanks for all your hard work over the last few weeks as our traffic in the building has increased and items are flowing into the book returns.

To help alleviate stress, this is a gentle reminder that we do not need to have all the items on the red carts checked in before we close. Our goal is to get items checked in within 24 hours, but it is even okay if we don’t meet that goal when it is busy. Just make sure you are backdating at check-in.

I would strongly suggest checking in your last item about thirty minutes before you leave. This will allow you time to get items pre-shelved, empty the book return, and do the closing checklist (if applicable).

The following notice was just sent to patrons who have used curbside pick up in the last two months.

Johnston Public Library Patron,

Beginning Monday, June 14^th we will no longer require appointments for curbside pick-up of library holds. To pick-up your holds curbside, simply come to the library any time that we’re open and call 515-779-3315. You are also welcome to come into the library to pick-up and checkout your holds. We are currently open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday and  Saturday 10am-5:30pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Let me know if you have any questions.

In anticipation of Monday’s change to curbside service, the language of hold notices has been updated to the following:

The following items are being held for you at the Johnston Public Library. Please pick the items up before close on the “Held-Till” date indicated below. For curbside service, call ‪515-779-3315‬ when you arrive. Curbside service is available any time we’re open—no appointment needed.