Circ Notes

Lots of little details were discussed yesterday at the MVLC Circ/Ill meeting:

• Accounts are now blocked when a patron reaches $20 in billing or has 20 items overdue.  Up until they hit that 20 item or $20 threshold, staff and patrons can renew materials.

• Always include a middle name or initial when registering a new patron (it helps to clarify when more than one patron in the system shares a common name.) Also try to get as much contact info as possible ie. 2nd phone number, email address, etc.  Always include a street address.....PO Box is not sufficient.

• When registering patrons, always add the location at the very bottom under "Statistical Categories" ......it'll read Location (19xx).  There's a drop down menu and you must select "1934 Newburyport".   Location (2xxx) is for patrons residing in non MVLC member towns.

• When registering a new patron, you must ALWAYS check to see if there is an existing account.  If it is in good standing, you can then merge the accounts by replacing the barcode and updating all the information.  Don't forget to update the home library and the statistical category 'Location'.

• Barred patrons - we cannot 'unbar' another library's patron.  If a situation has been resolved, call the other library and ask them to do it.  If that library is not open, see me.

• Remember.....only  use the 'uncancel' function if an expired hold was the fault of the library ie. we did not call the patron.  Otherwise, a new request must be placed.

• All new DVD TV series will be packaged and circulated by season by all MVLC libraries. (no more 'parts' issues....at least going forward!) 

That's all for now, folks....thanks.