Monthly Archives: May 2009

Compact shelving issues

Our compact shelving occasionally acts up, gets stuck and won’t move. If this happens to you during your shift and no permanent staff are here, call Main and explain the problem to the supervisor. Secondly, and this is important, let me know where (give the call number on shelving unit) the problem occurred. We like to track problems so that we can clearly explain the problem to a repair technician if needed. As of right now all shelves are working, but we did have a stuck unit last night.

Questions about Library Bills and Lost Library Materials?

This time of year we usually get many questions about missing, lost, damaged and “long lost and found again” library materials at the front desks. Please refer all questions about billing and refunds to me. You (and the borrower) can contact me at waagen@middlebury.edu with any questions or concerns.
Please review the information about Lost and Damaged policies.
A couple of tips:
*Lost/billed materials will eventually be transferred to the borrowers college bill, but please encourage the borrower to pay the charges at the desk to clear their account. This is the fastest and easiest way. Paying with a credit card is the easiest way to process a refund IF the item is later found. If you process a payment (ask a supervisor how if you’ve never done it), please be sure to give a receipt to the borrower – required for a refund.
*To maintain the integrity of the collections, it is the preferred policy that borrowers pay for lost or damaged materials.
*Requests to “pay” for the item with an exact copy may be considered on a case by case basis, but will delay clearing the charges, as it takes quite a bit longer to process and resolve.
*If you get the message “item lost and paid” when checking in materials, please email me with the title, call# and barcode# of the item before sending it to the shelves
*Please check carefully for damage (beyond normal wear and tear) BEFORE checking in – and alert a supervisor to the damage. If it looks like willful damage or severe neglect by the borrower, do not check it in – place on/forward to my desk in 250A
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Elin

Shelving – Main Library

From Rich:
If/when you’re able to dispatch your troops to the re-shelving trenches:
Please have them check accumulations on the Main Level first, and run at any group (P-PG, PH-PN, PQ &c) whose allocated holding shelves are half full, or more.
If main level staging areas appear under control, then they can work off holding shelves on the Upper Level, criterion being, whichever section appears most in need.
Reminder as appropriate: I’m eager that the books get re-shelved, not set up or sorted for the “next guy”, so please encourage your people to organize only what they expect to re-shelve themselves immediately.
Thanks for the assistance.

Room 159 reservations!!!!

IMPORTANT reminders about room reservations
1. only room 159 is reservable, and must be reserved in outlook under the folder list -“public folders” – “favorites” – “room 159”. Don’t use the calendar in outlook.
2. REVISED guidelines:
For 2 or more people. Make reservations at the Circulation Desk upstairs. Those without reservations may be asked to relinquish the space to those who have a reservation. Reservations must be limited to 4 hours and cannot recur more than 4 times in a row [for example, every Monday night for 4 weeks (but not 5 weeks) is okay; every day for 4 days (but not 5 days) is okay]. Video viewing equipment is for academic use only.
3. see staff (Carrie, Nacny or todd) if any staff/faculty want to reserve room 161.

Be Safe

To ensure your safety and the safety of others, NEVER hesitate to call Public Safety at X5911 to report an incident, injury, threat, feeling of being threatened, any problem of any kind where you feel that it would be helpful to have some guidance or support with the situation.
In an emergency – ALWAYS CALL PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST – then alert a supervisor or LIS staff member.
If you ever feel threatened while covering the front desk simply walk away, remove yourself from the situation, and then call Public Safety. Your safety is our concern, be alert, and never hesitate to ask for help.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk.
Elin