[Publib] circulating book club sets

[ROBIN BEERBOWER]

Hi Elizabeth,

We have been circulating book group kits for about two years.  I have answered your questions below.


1. How do you set a value for the set as a whole?
**We multiply the cost of each book by how ever many we have for the total price of the kit.

2. How long do you circulate your sets for?
**For at least six weeks.  The leader picks up the kit a few days before the meeting and returns within a week after the meeting, which usually ends up being about six weeks.  At first we had to manually change the due date as our regular check out is three weeks but we got the code changed so it now automatically checks out for six weeks.

3. Who do you check your sets out to - a patron or a special card?  Why did
you make this decision?
**Sets are checked out on the patron's library card unless it goes to another library, then we use the library's record.

4. Do you let groups place holds on a set for a specific time?  
**Yes.  We have a complicated set-up (never figured out anything easier) where we enter their name and contact information for a specific month.

What do you
do if a group doesn't bring a set back in time for the next group?
**We keep a pretty good eye on them and call if the set isn't returned within a couple of weeks after the meeting; however, this has rarely happened.  Most groups are good about getting them back probably becasue we ask to have the kit returned even if a book or two is missing.

5. What kind of container do you use for the sets and where did you purchase
it?
**We use storage containers such as Rubbermaid, etc.  I buy them at our local "all things" store or Target.  I have purchased some at Wal-Mart but felt kind of crummy about it.  :-)  We then make large labels for the outside with the author, title, number of copies and barcode.

6. Do you check the set in if materials are missing or is it on the card
used until missing items are returned or resolved?
**We keep the kit on the card until all items are returned.  If there is another hold on the kit we go ahead and check it in but put a note on the patron card about the missing book(s) with a replacement price.  

Let me know if you have any other questions.  

Robin






Robin Beerbower
Outreach/Homebound Services
Salem Public Library
PO Box 14810 (97309)
585 Liberty SE (97301)
Salem, OR  
503-588-6089