[Skip navigation]

Circulation Services Interest Group - November 28, 2006 Meeting Notes

Present:

Jenny Bell (Clermont County Public Library), Lisa Breithaupt (Clermont County Public Library), Teri Childers (Clermont County Public Library), Paul Duryea (Kenton County Public Library), Elizabeth Fiene (Clermont County Public Library), Connie Fitzgerald (Clermont County Public Library), Carolyn Kube (Clermont County Public Library), Mary Kaye Neuhaus (Clermont County Public Library), Jim Parrott (Kenton County Public Library), Sarah Schaff (SWON Libraries), Cindy Sefton (Cincinnati State Community College), Donna Sons (Clermont County Public Library), Kathy Vondermeulen (Clermont County Public Library)

Self Check-Out Discussion:

  • Payment? Paying at the machine?
  • Expired Cards
  • Where to put the self-check out: Wiring? Cost?
  • SirsiDynix
  • Integrated Technology Group
  • Paying for DVDs and Videos
  • Unlocking a/v security
  • Reprocessing a/v
  • A/V circulation is around 40% in our public libraries, which could cause huge issues
  • Know your population: Would they like self-checkout or would they prefer the personal touch?

    • Security Issues Discussion

    RFID

  • Very expensive and labor-intensive to switch collection to RFID - $0.40-$0.70 per chip
  • Placing chips in areas where they won’t be pulled out?
  • Scanners will recognize items that aren’t checked out and will set off alarms
  • Self-check mechanisms are great with RFID
  • Chips wear out!

    • Disk Dispenser:

  • Identifies discs (CDs and/or DVDs) through a barcode and dispenses them to patrons

    • Browsing:

  • Discussion of the importance of browsing through a/v and music collections

    • Shelving a/v collections:

  • Problem of theft as a result of shelving
  • A/V rooms?
  • A/V Bins?

    • Charging for feature films:

  • Enormously unpopular and caused a drop in circulation

    • The need to Value your collections...

  • If we don’t value the collection, why will our patrons value it?
  • Fines can show value

    • Space issues:

  • Major space is taken up by computers and ADA compliance

    • Library Rankings: PLCH is #8

    Collection Agencies:

  • Very worthwhile! While not a fundraiser, you will get your materials back and 90% of the materials returned will be useable.
  • Charge $10 collection agency fee to the patron – this fee must be paid to the collection agency and the library must be sure that no one waives it, under any circumstances.
  • Patrons always say they didn’t get the notices!
  • For the first 3 months after Clermont County Public Library started using the collection agency, they were barraged with phone calls, but now the call volume is much better. After 6 months, the complaints dropped drastically.
  • Why do it? When you consider the value of the returned materials as well as the fines collected (and the fines waived), this is one way to be responsible with the taxpayer’s money.
  • Within a 90-day trial period, CCPL did a two-year clean up!
  • Discussion of how to handle minors with regards to collections.
  • Payment plans – Don’t Do It!

    • Pictures of Patrons:

  • Clermont County Public Library takes snapshots of its patrons that are stored with their patron record. Pictures can be taken over and over again.
  • Discussion of accepted identification – Picture ID? Library Card? State ID?

    • Overdue Fines:

  • Patrons don’t seem to understand overdue fines – even if you return the items, if they are late, you still owe the money!

    • Designated Borrowers:

  • To use someone’s card, you must be listed as a designated borrower.

    • Replacement Cards:

  • At Clermont County Public Library, the first replacement card is free, and all others are $1.00.

    • Staff Training:

  • All training is done by inside staff at Kenton County Public Library and Clermont County Public Library.
  • Discussion of training all staff on Circulation procedures vs. just training Circ. Staff. on these procedures.
  • Mentoring
  • Reference, Customer Service, MS Office, Email Training
  • Cross-Training? Training among the branches and training reference staff on circulation duties as well as training all staff on RA duties.

    • Next Meeting: March 12, 2007

  • Discussed meeting at a location further north.