Circulation Round Table 04-12-2013 • Maine InfoNet

April 12, 2013

Topsham Public Library

Blu-ray/DVD combo pack circulation-

Cataloging practice is the combo packs cannot be split and placed on separate bibs for Blu-ray and DVD. Discussion of the confusion of patrons who see Blu-ray on the case and assume they cannot play-which is why they split them. Cost savings of two for the price of one was also mentioned. A question of the fairness of the libraries that split their combo packs getting double the circulation numbers of the libraries that do not was also mentioned.

Should we ask libraries if they separate their combo packs?

Suggestions for volume field text-

Do not feel strongly as long as text is clear and consistent

Discussion of DVD TV series circulation-

reasons for splitting

how it comes in the packaging-need different packaging for safe circulation
limits on the number of disk “items” to a single patron
loan rules are too short for comfortable viewing
security case limitations

reasons against splitting

problems with placing holds
patron frustration with not getting what they think they’ve asked for-pieces of a series in random order
creates unequal statistics: split up holds count as individual circs

Loan periods

How long do libraries circulate these sets? Loaning a series for 1wk is not helpful. With a 3-week checkout (with one possible 3 week renewal), complete sets could be watched without running out of time. Length of production discussed –threshold of 6 hrs (360min) discussed for 3 week loan rule. Discussed keeping feature length films (popular new releases) to one week. CML and Gardiner already circulate everything for 3 weeks.

Can we create a new itype/location code combo so that the “long” dvds go out for longer among Minerva libraries? Discussed creating another loan rule for series. Similar to “thick” which TML uses. Technically possible, just needs ok to be adopted.

Patron requesting

patrons make choices about placing holds not knowing the weird inconsistency within the system. If a patron picks an item based on fewest holds, but it’s not their local library, they can be constantly bumped. Circulation staff should double check holds in Millennium to identify “bad” holds placed by their patrons. Nightmare of holds placed on “on order” bib records that are later split into volumes

Discussion of Working hypothesis:

Change rules for Intra-Minerva loans for DVD or BLU-Ray sets of over 360min. loan for 3 weeks.

Don’t break up “sets” into volume fields.

Definition of a “set”: Did you buy the item as a unit? Is it replaceable only as a unit.
What about the incredible long (30 disk) nonfiction series—example of Ken Burns. Discussed upper runtime limit before splitting was justified- decided that situation was a rare exception

Volume holds in OPAC vs Millennium

See patron requesting above

Discussion of limiting choice when setting items into transit

Do we want to turn on the streamlined checkin with the following effects:

If your library has configured the system to automatically check in and set in transit items that are to go in transit to their owning location, and you check in an item that does not satisfy a hold and is to be set in transit to its owning location, the system:

automatically checks the item in
automatically sets the item in transit
prompts you to print the transit slip

Group suggests Yes to limiting. Need to be aware of what happens in case you don’t want to check in.

Creation of a “deleted” ptype for old patron records–

Alisia is working to create a ptype that has no permissions an dis not associated with any location. It is for patrons that you would like to delete, but cannot because of broken holds, etc. Instead of having these hang around, we can change from your local ptype to the “deleted” ptype, remove ALL personal info, including barcode, and let the systems folks find and clear the broken holds. THis way you don’t have old patrons cluttering up your lists. Alisia will send out an email when it is active with instructions.

Keyword vs title searching in the OPAC –

Keyword Searching works better with the features of the opac like material type and cover images. you can choose for your scope. **NB: this is no longer true as of August 2013. All search start pages default to keyword in the new opac redesign.**