Nanuet Staff Connects: Circulation

The Koha ILS handbook is available on Koha homepage.  It's in the left column.  

You can find information about the damaged book procedure, how to make a library card and other important information. 

https://guides.rcls.org/c.php?g=1383253

New York State Law requires us to keep library card applications.  I will be keeping them in an accordion file in my office for now.

After completing the card, please place the application in one of the folders.

• Green - if they want the enewsletter.
• Red - if they don't want the newsletter.

ONLINE APPLICATIONS - 

Once you make a card for someone who submitted an application:

• Write their name on the top left of the application.  Paperclip the card to it and place it in the Yellow folder.
• In their record, under more, select Send welcome letter.  
• I will have already submitted their email for the newsletter, so don't bother with that.
• Once they pick up their card, place the application in the Red folder.

PLEASE ALPHABETIZE THE APPLICATIONS IN THE YELLOW FOLDER!  IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES WHEN A PATRON COMES FOR PICK UP. 

Encourage patrons to sign up for email notification for overdues.  

You can accept proof of address on a device.  For example, patrons can pull up their bank statement on their phone.  As long as the name matches the ID, it's fine.

The damage procedure is in the white procedure binder at the circ desk.  Please read it over in your spare time so  you are familiar with the process.  If there is a question about another library's book, DO NOT check it in and call the other library to ask how they want to procedure.  

While you are reading the damage procedure, read the LOST payment procedure also.  All payments should be given to Mary immediately.  They do not go with the fines.  Don't forget to give the information to the librarian so they can reorder the book. I made a form and it's in the form drawer in a green folder. 

We are starting a circulation procedures manual.  Please let us know if there are any procedures you would like to see in there.   

Right now, I have the lost/damaged book procedure in there.  The procedure has changed so be sure to look at it.

PLEASE REMEMBER, when you are taking a check, the patron should write the reason in the memo - LOST or DAMGAGED item or fines!

All money or checks for lost or damaged items should go directly to Mary.

When giving a patron a new library card, check to see if they had a card from another library.  If they do, use that record.  Do not make a new record.

The circ computers are now set for silent printing when you use Firefox.  This will skip the step of having to select a printer when you use symphony web.   

If you need to print to the regular printer, you will need to use microsoft edge on NAN135.  The other computer on the left is only connected to the receipt printer.

SALE BOOKS

I cleaned off the purple cart in the back of my office in case we get any book donations and there's no room on the sale shelf.  Please only accept fiction books that are in good condition.  Keep the cart neat.  No bags.

LOST BOOKS

When someone pays for a Nanuet book, please give the book information to the appropriate Librarian to determine if it needs to be replaced.  Or if  you come across a damaged book, mark it as damaged and give it to the librarian to determine whether or not they want to keep or replace it.  Do not discard it.

Lauren (Children's)

Bob (Non-fiction)

Denise (Fiction)

Angela (McNaughton)

Sam (YA)

During the Summer RCLS started using a system called Message Bee to send out overdue, pre-due, hold and renewal notices.  If a patron marks it as spam, I need to contact the company to remove it from their spam list.  They will be changing their system in the near future.   If a patron says they are not getting their notices, have them check their spam folders or promotional folder if they use gmail.  

I put a small form at the front desk - on the lower part.  FILL it out for the patron with the correct email address - PLEASE PRINT SO I CAN READ IT!!

Make sure it's correct in the system and give me the slip so I can contact Message Bee.

Please encourage patrons to sign up for email notification.  Tell them about the pre-due and automatic renewal notices.  

UPDATE- The book sale has been moved to the table.  Please do not accept too much from a patron as we don't have room to store it.  If you see the table is starting to look messy, please straighten it up.

We have decided to start accepting book donations.  Below is a reminder of our policy.  Do not accept more than 2 bags from anyone at this time.  If you take a donation, go through it and toss any that are gross or old.   Place books on the sale cart.  If there are any that would be good for the little free library, put them in the box behind Margaret’s desk.  It’s labeled Little free library.   

Book Donation Policy

The library accepts gently used books for our book sale and Little Free Library. Books should be no older than 5 years old. You can drop off up to 2 bags at the circulation desk

WE ACCEPT:

• Hardcover fiction
• Paperbacks
• Graphic novels
• CDs, DVDs, and Books on CD
• Children’s books
• Large Print books

WE DO NOT accept:

• NON-fiction
• Water or mildew damaged books
• VHS or audio cassette tapes
• Reader’s Digest condensed books
• Magazines
• Encyclopedias
• Promotional items
• Textbooks or medical books.

Thanks!

Angela

Recently, we have had patrons coming in to tell us the items they borrowed were not checked in upon return.  We will now be checking in materials returned directly to us twice. 

Here is the procedure:

1. Check item in and put them on the small cart behind the circulation desk.
2. When it is slow or the cart is filled, take the small cart to Tech. Services and check them in again.
3. Once they have been checked in for the 2^nd time, place the materials on the proper re-shelving carts.

Again, this is only done for the books that are being returned to us directly.  Not the books that are coming in the bins.    

Angela & Helayne

Overview of the changes to the Borrowing Terms, 

Fines and Fees that went into effect March 2022: 

Loan period for Children's Audiobooks changed from 14 days to 28 days 

Loan period of travel books changed from 14 days to 28  

1 renewal of Adult "Fast" books allowed (instead of 0)  

Children’s Audiobook fine reduced from 10 cents to 5 cents  

Maximum fine for Children’s kits raised from $5 to $10  

Maximum fine for Children’s music CDs reduced from $10 to $5  

Children’s kits Item Limit reduced from 10 at a time to 2 at a time  - Back Packs!

Children’s books Item Limit increased from 3 to 5 of the same author/subject  

Audiobooks Item Limit increased from 5 to 7  

New Audiobooks Item Limit increased from 3 to 5  

Adult and Children’s magazines allowed to be renewed 2 times  

NOTE: We also added wording on the back panel of our brochure stating 

that replacement items will not be accepted in lieu of replacement fees

Circulation Team:

Please encourage Nanuet Patrons to add their email address to their accounts so they can receive notices.  If time allows, check the patron’s record to make sure cat5 is filled in.

When making library cards, please make sure to fill out all the categories – including birthday. 

Thanks!

Angela

Helayne and I made new library card applications.  The email line was moved up.  Please encourage the patron to enter their email to get overdue and hold notifications.  They can also opt into the enewsletter.  We did remove where they had to select child or adult.  Students in grade 9 or above do not need their parents signature for a card.  Their cards should be given a nanadult profile.

If a patron opts into the eNewsletter, please give the application to Helayne.

This week, I sent out letters to patrons who have made a temporary Libby card online.  These cards are expiring and will be deleted.  Patrons may be coming in to apply for new cards.

When a patron comes in for a new card, please ask them if they have a card that they have been using with Libby.  If they do, I need their new barcode and the phone number that they used with Libby.  I need to merge their 2 accounts so they don’t loose any checkouts or holds with Libby.

Please get into the habit of asking patrons this when they apply for cards.

Thanks.

Angela

• The board approved Monday Sept 14 as our reopening date.  We will still be doing curbside after we reopen.  We will provide more details at the staff meeting on  Friday Sept 11 at 9 AM.
• All children's books will circulate for 28 days.
• Patrons  need to call in to now to arrange their curbside appointments.

During this time - 

• Bookdrops are locked.
• patrons can apply for library cards online - link is on the library's website.
• There is a temp reference phone number that is open from 10-6 Monday-Thursdays and 10-5 on Friday.
• Digital resource guide has been made for patrons.
• Books are being ordered, but no shipments are coming into the library.
• Holds are suspended. patrons can't place new holds. 
• Due dates have been extended.  No fines are being charged.

Circ & Tech Service Staff meetings are Tuesday mornings at 10 AM. - a zoom link is sent around 9:30 every Tuesday.  We use the same link every week.

There are new scanners on the desk at circulation.  We can now use these scanners if the patron has their barcode on their phones.  Helayne

• The minimum payment amount is now $1, not $5
• The payment screen where they enter their credit card info looks different that PayPal's screen
• ProPay is for payments using a credit/debit card. Unlike PayPal, there are no ProPay user accounts that store money.

We are no longer counting the money at the end of day.  It should be done in the morning before opening.  It must be done with 2 people together. 

Please do not accept large bills unless the fine is large.  Tell the patron to pay next time.

The school district website does not work all of the time.  We removed the shortcut.

Also - Staff meeting dates have been changed to the 1st Friday of the month at 9 AM. 

March 6, April 3, May 1 & June 5.  The library will open at 11 AM.

For those of you limited to 17 hours, please make sure we adjust your schedule.

The fire extinguisher that was in the wall ext to the copier is now located next to the left of the holds bookcase - under the animal calendar. 

Do not tell your colleagues - let them discover this themselves.  Just checking in to see who is reading the libguide.  Please see Angela after reading this.  Or Jeanne after 5 on Wednesday.  or Helayne on Friday. 

Angela

If a patron moves to Nanuet and is applying for a new card - Make sure you update their old record.  Do not make a new entry for them.

Thanks! 

AMK

Registration for this program starts on Monday March 2.

Apparently, Aldrich put it in paper, but didn't mention registration date.

All book club books are available at the reference desk.  

If no more books are available, patrons can place a regular hold on the books.  They should should also give their email addresses at reference.

Please look out for damaged books as you check them in and out.  

If someone fills in the email portion on an adult library card application, please give it to me.  We want to add them to the enewsletter.

Thanks.

Angela

Our Colleen Hoover books are flying off the shelves  -  without being checked out.   We have decided to shelve her books at the circulation desk to try to curb the theft.  Bob ordered a bunch of new books.  We are making 1 of each title 7 days and all the other (regardless of age) 14 days.  I will make a Circ Desk sticker for the titles.

The books will still be listed as new or express fiction.   Please DO NOT give the book to a patron without checking them out first.  We will put a sign up directing patrons to the circ desk.  Please enforce the limit of 2 express books per patron.

Who can get a NPL library card - 

Residents of the Nanuet School District and people who work in the district that don't live in the RCLS area.

Are they Nanuet School District residents?

Check the street listings or use the Clarkstown tax assessment website.

Orangetown Tax Assessment

Spring Valley Tax Assessment

Do I refer them to New City or West Nyack?

If the patron has a Nanuet address, but is in Clarkstown schools, they should go to W. Nyack.

Bardonia residents can go to W. Nyack or New City.

What's our Policy?

NPL Library Card Policy