Many libraries are changing how they do regular circulation to limit contact. And since all libraries have varying locations, needs, and capabilities, each new checkout process will look different. Whether that includes scheduling pick-up times, having patrons place holds online, quarantining items after return, or more, is up to your library and local guidelines.
As you create a plan that works for your library, we encourage you to consider these questions:
Once you have an idea of what your new process will look like, the next step is to make any necessary changes to your preferences. Here are some we recommend taking a look at:
If necessary, does your patron security group have permission to manage holds, access Patron Status, and perform renewals?
Do you want to allow renewals for items that have pending holds? If so, turn on the Allow Renewals When Holds Are Pending preference on the Circulation Rules tab.
Make sure the holds icon is showing up in Researcher for your patrons by going to Preferences > Researcher > Search/Explore > Results List and turning on Show Hold Controls.
After configuring your preferences, you can begin remote checkouts. Below is a general guideline of how this process could look, but you may need to make adjustments depending on your library's needs.
Tell your patrons about the library's new policies and procedures. You'll want to make sure they know how to use Researcher to search, place holds (through Search, Explore, Scout, or Browse), check Patron Status, renew items, and more. If your patrons are unfamiliar with Researcher or just need a refresher, have them check out our short and simple patron-facing training videos.
To send out a mass email with this information, use the Send Email report.
Distribute our How to Place a Hold in Researcher reference sheet to patrons via email or printed copies. |
As patrons begin placing holds through Researcher, librarians can then run regular hold reports to view currently available holds and gather the items. Schools may want to select or sort by grade or location to make things more manageable.
While bookdropping on-shelf holds and items that were checked out and have a pending hold, you can use the D Circulation Command to print hold slips that'll let you know which items go to whom. You may want to turn on Preferences > Circulation > Receipts > Browser Settings > Default is Print for In-Stock Hold Receipts. |
Set up a saved In-Stock Hold Notice report in the Email format that's scheduled to go out regularly. This will inform patrons when they have an in-stock hold, meaning it's ready to be picked up soon. You can customize the message with any instructions patrons may need (pickup times, how to set up appointments, etc).
Once it's time for delivery or pickup, check out the items to your patrons. Usually this can be done the way you normally check out, but here are some tips:
Deliver or have patrons pick up the checked out items. To know which items go to which patrons, run a Loaned Items Information report or use the printed hold slips.
When it's time for patrons to return their items, follow the procedure your library has decided on. You could have the items sit in the return box for a few days before handling them to check in. Or, you could check in the items and then set them aside for a period before returning them to the holds area or shelves.
For textbooks, we recommend checking out the textbooks to your students and then running a Loaned Textbooks Information report sorted by homeroom so teachers can properly distribute the textbooks and know who gets what. You can also print a checkout receipt for each textbook or patron by using the D Circulation Command after checkout, which will indicate who gets that textbook or stack of textbooks.
You can also set up Self-Service to offer hands-free checkouts. Here are some things you'll need to do:
To check out an item, patrons will simply scan their card and items by hovering them under the scanner. The librarian will then click I'm Done for each patron from their own screen so that no one else has to touch it.
Of course, we recommend utilizing eBooks in your library and school as much as possible. Learn more about eBooks and how to catalog them. Also check out some eBook services that integrate with Alexandria: