Below are a few reminders
regarding correct procedures for some circulation functions. Please look
them over at your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to contact the Circulation Administration
Department (832-393-2222, option 3) or your local Library Assistant
Supervisor.
1.
Lost cards found by staff members should not be kept at the
desk. If a staff member finds a lost library card, s/he should:
a. attempt to contact the customer to inform him/her that the
card is found. Mark the card lost in the account. Give the customer
a day to pick up the found card.
b. If
the staff member is unsuccessful in contacting the customer or if the card is
not picked up in a short period of time, destroy the card and note the record.
c. Do not hold the found card at the service desk for longer
than 24 hours. The customer may complete a new registration form and
receive a new card when s/he next visits the library.
2.
Customers whose accounts are In Collection are
blocked from check out until the balance owed on the account is paid in
full.
3.
Customers whose cards have expired must settle
all charges owed at the time of renewal. Staff may override the Expired Card block
to assist a customer with placing a hold. Staff should assist the
customer to renew the account before checking items out, though.
4.
Accounts are blocked from privileges when they
are expired. Check out privileges are blocked for customers owing $10.00
or more and for customers whose cards are blocked for any other
concern. Check out privileges are restored only after blocks are
resolved.
5.
Lost card blocks should not be overridden to
check items out. Customers with Lost Card blocks should complete a new
registration form and be issued a new card before checking out.
6.
Texshare Cards are issued to residents of
the City of Houston only. Customers who reside outside the city limit
of Houston are not eligible to receive a Texshare Card from Houston Public
Library.
7.
Rather than using “Change Due Date” for 6 week
check outs, do the following to check items out for 6 weeks:
a. Complete the initial check out of each item that the
customer wishes to check out for 6 weeks.
b. Close
the customer record and wait a moment before reopening it (please wait approx
10 to 15 seconds).
c. Reopen the record, navigate to the Checked Out Items tab,
and highlight all items to be renewed
d. Click
“Renew.”
e. Highlight
the items to be renewed a second time, and click “Renew” again.
8.
Customers are entitled to return receipts for
items returned at the circulation desk.
9.
Customers are to be issued receipts for all
payments on their accounts.
10.
If a customer claims an item was returned, the
staff member receiving the claim should request a shelf check at the location
the customer claims the item was returned and mark the item Claims Returned in
the III system. The customer should be informed of the outcome of the
shelf check asap.
11.
When an item is found on the shelf, the staff
member should check the item in, waive the resulting fine, and place a note in
the record that the item was FOS and the fine waived. Do not back date
the check in.
12.
If an item we have found on the shelf is
checked out to and caused an account to be In Collection, the staff member
should check the item in, waive the resulting fine and waive the Collection
Agency Report Charge. The staff member should place an appropriate note
in the record explaining that the item FOS and charges waived for that
reason.
13.
Replacement Computer Use Only cards cost
$1.00. Replacement Power Cards are free.
