[Publib] Procedures for handling holds - Compilation - LONG

[Mark Furukawa]

I got 8 responses to my question about how libraries handle the mechanics of
dispatching items for filling holds/reserves within their agencies.

ILS:
Horizon - 5
Innovative plus another ILS in a coop setting – 1
SIRSI – 1
TLC – 1

All the Horizon libraries have some version of a printed routing/hold slip
produced by Horizon and/or another program. All use receipt printers. One
uses both regular printers and receipt printers - some departments do not
have receipt printers.
  • 1 still must use routing slips because their printout does not provide
this.
  • 1 still must write the patron’s name on the slip because their printout
does not. They also color code (with markers) the holds slip for the holds'
expiration date (I assume a different color for each day of the week?). They
plan to install AlphaG software (this week?) in hopes it will eliminate more
of the hand-writing.
  • 1 uses preprinted routing slips with a listing of all of the Agencies –
check off the appropriate branch, tape the slip to the item and drop it in a
bin. The routing slips are used once and thrown away. At the destination
Agency, a hold slip printout showing the patron’s name and the title of the
item is produced. This is rubber-banded to the open edge of the book and
they are shelved spine IN so only the patron’s name is showing on patron
access holds shelves.
  • 1 has a routing slip printed with the destination in bold at the top of
the slip to stick out of the top of the item for dispatch and, when the item
is checked in at the destination, a holds slip is printed with the patron’s
name (last name, first name) printed at the bottom of the slip to stick out
of the bottom of the book for shelving on the holds shelf.
  • 1 has a printout that is both the routing slip and holds slip. The
destination is printed in bold at the top for dispatch, and the patron’s
name is in bold at the bottom for the holds shelf. [I wonder if these last
two are using the same software? Wonder if it's AlphaG?]

The coop library system integrates ILL with their holds procedure. Most of
the system uses Innovative. Routing forms are wrapped around the front cover
for dispatch. For holds within a library, the ILS prints a holds slip. Once
the patron is called, a removable sticker with the patron’s name and the
hold’s expiration date, hand-written, is placed on the book.

The SIRSI library has color coded routing slips that also have the Agency
name printed at the top so dispatch can sort by color and/or Agency name.
There are white routing slips for Holds. At check-in at the receiving
Agency, a Word macro designed by their Systems staff prints a holds slip on
a receipt printer.

The TLC library does Holds both manually and with receipt printers. Those
stations with receipt printers produce holds routing slips; those without
printers must hand-write holds routing slips. The patron's name is written
on the item when it arrives at its destination. Each Agency has a bin for
every other Agency, so they don’t use routing slips for general dispatch.
They look forward to their next ILS upgrade minimizing the hand-writing.

Thanks to all who responded - all with detailed explanations which I've
ruthlessly abridged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark Furukawa, Branch Head
Calumet Township Branches
of Lake County Public Library
940 N. Broad St.
Griffith, IN 46319-1528 (USA)
mfurukaw(at)lakeco.lib.in.us
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/caltwp.htm
     May I deal with honor,
     May I act with courage,
     May I achieve humility.
                from "Straight"
                by Dick Francis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 




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