HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 08:42:13 LCL
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Bob Jones <BJONES@UNF1VM.BITNET>
Subject: Re: holiday/break/etc. grace periods

At the University of North Florida, we describe our 'grace period' as
a 'minimum/maximum fine'.  Rather than bog down in what days we do or
don't count, we just state:

'Overdue fines accrue from the date due but are not normally collected
until they reach $2.00 per item...There is no minimum or maximum fine
(fines accrue indefinitely) for interlibrary loans, recalled books or
special permission loans.

This makes the grace period based on a dollar amount rather than
the number of days.

Internally, and transparent to the user, we do adjust fines down for
days closed.  This is done in our batch library to bursar interface.
Many who expect fines are delighted when no bill arrives!

Bob Jones   (904) 646-2552 : SUNCOM 861-2552 : FAX 904-646-2719
Head, Public Services Division, and Library Systems Coordinator
University of North Florida Library              P.O. Box 17605
4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South         Jacksonville, FL 32216
BITNET: BJONES@UNF1VM  ::   INTERNET: bjones@unf1vm.cis.unf.edu
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 13:40:03 EDT
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         EASLMJRH@UBE.BITNET
Subject:      RE: Grace Periods for Overdue Fines

We have a similar policy which has only been in use for less than a year. We
felt that this policy was better than writing up a fine for under a $1.00.

Most patrons return their books within 3 days. Also like you we don't advertise
the grace period.

Mary Russell-Harris
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Organization: Brigham Young University
Date:         Fri, 10 Apr 1992 09:47:47 MDT
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
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From:         Laurie Cardon <LIBLXC@BYUVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Grace Periods

At BYU we also back-date all of our discharges.  Book bins and trucks with
returned items have a post-it note attached that gives the date and time
the materials were returned.  When the book processing (discharge) staff
start on the next truck/bin, they check the date, and then backdate the
discharge screen on the NOTIS system.  We also stamp the return date on
the books as we check them in.  Due dates are black, return dates are
green.  It's a very simple process, and it avoids *lots* of potential
conflicts.

                                     Laurie
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Date:         Fri, 10 Apr 1992 15:30:00 CST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "NAME'Cleo Powers,
              UWEC McIntyre Library (715)836-5820'" <POWERSCJ@CNSVAX.UWEC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: circulation information for patrons

At UW-Eau Claire we have had a borrowers' privilege brochure available
for about 2 and a half years and have found it most useful and have
had no negative feedback about different privileges for different
patron categories.  If anything, we believe people appreciate knowing
what is going on.  Our brochure covers loan periods for all types of
materials and patron groups, circulation policies, semester loans --
which also includes a section on how these items are subject to recall,
services (e.g. database searching, ILL), information on overdue and
replacement fines/fees and main library hours.
This brochure is given to all new community borrowers and copies are
made available at public service desks for anyone to pick up.

We have found it extremely useful and have even used it to document
why someone's fine appeal was denied by mailing the brochure along
with the written statement denying the appeal.

Cleo J. Powers
Head of Public Services
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
POWERSCJ@UWEC.edu
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Wed, 8 Apr 1992 08:40:49 -0700
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Richard M. Osen" <rosen@HENSON.CC.WWU.EDU>
Subject:      Journal Use Studies
X-To:         CIRCPLUS@idbsu.idbsu.edu

	We are contemplating a journal use study to assist us in space
planning for our stack areas or for possible storage in the future.
Journals are shelved separate from monographs in our libraries, and
they are arranged alphabetically by title.  We have them shelved in
four distinct areas by subject matters:  General Reference (including
the Social Sciences, Humanities and Business/Economics), Science and
Technology, Education/Physical Education, and Music.  They are not
catalogued and they circulate out of the buildings only to faculty.
We have a little more than 4,000 active titles, and maybe another
2,000 inactive titles.
	Several years ago we performed a journal use study for one
academic quarter.  We posted signs asking patrons not to reshelve
journals, and then had our shelving assistants tag each item before
reshelving it.  We then tallied the tags and noted the years of the
volumes/issues by title that had been used.
	I am interested in obtaining advice on how other libraries
who are in a somewhat similar situation to that outlined above have
accomplished journal use studies.  We are interested in both what
is getting used and how much use there is.  Also, what do you
consider to be an appropriate length of time for the study?
	Thanks to all respondents in advance.  Please send your
responses to either the list or me.  I would be glad to summarize
for the list the direct responses to me.  Thanks again.


Rick Osen
Circulation/Building Manager
Wilson Library
Western Washington University
Internet:  rosen@henson.cc.wwu.edu
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Date:         Tue, 7 Apr 1992 07:50:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Cordy Swinton (CWS@PSULIAS) 814-863-1362" <CWS@PSULIAS.BITNET>
Subject:      Follow up

Last fall I asked people about their experience with professional movers.We
were moving materials from one annex to another and had never used
professionals before.  After sending out an RFP we hired ALC Americn
Library Consultants and they were great.

Thanks for all your responses.

Cordy Swinton
Penn State University
CWS@PSULIAS.BITNET
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Date:         Fri, 10 Apr 1992 14:28:43 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         CXSN000 <CXSN@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject:      circulation information for patrons

I cannot more strongly urge that you provide information.  We do
a disservice by with holding details that permit people to make
informed choices about their behavior, etc.  Since the list
recently discussed the question of informing new patrons on policy,
and how long it took, your question may find support in those
answers.  I think we should be pretty transparent.  If users abuse
policies once they are informed, then we have to revise the
policies themselves, but not the policy of providing the inform.

Suzy Slavin  McGill University, Montreal Can.
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Date:         Thu, 9 Apr 1992 10:19:00 PDT
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         David Freedman <ECZ5DAF@UCLAMVS.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Grace Periods

> Dates on your return bin(s).  A very interesting, informative
> idea--but my question is, how labor intensive is it for you?
> What is actually involved--how do you post the date, how huge
> is the sign, etc.  Thanks.  S. Slavin, McGill University
> cxsn@musica.mcgill.ca

Glad you asked.  Actually it's quite easy.  We have a laminated
surface on the bin and we use a grease pencil.  We have a
morning procedure where, before anything else is done, all the
bins from the previous day are to be processed and the books are
put on a truck where the date is also written on a flag (we've
had the flags all along:  they say "Needs to be checked in" (on
the computer).  Since we change the date on the computer to
whatever date is on the flag, it's not a super rush to get the
books checked in before the morning is over (they will get done
that day, though).

This way, the people in the afternoon don't even have to think
about return dates, except when they check the books in on the
computer.  We have a little sign on the computer telling the
person what date to set.

It's not as complicated as it sounds, and I leave it up to the
student supervisor to make sure everything is coordinated.  I
didn't think it would work, myself, at first, but it is working
pretty well.

Hope that answers your questions.

David Freedman
Stacks Maintenance Supervisor
Univ. Research Library
UCLA
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 08:57:15 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Steven J. Schmidt, ILS" <IMPV100@INDYCMS.BITNET>
Subject: Re: holiday/break/etc. grace periods
              6 Apr 1992 08:38:00 EST from <N93774%PITTVMS.BITNE
              T@idbsu.idbsu.edu>

Bill -

We stopped using the term 'grace period' when a patron protested a fine on
the ground that 'grace' is a state granted only by God, and therefore is
eternal.  Despite his eloquent plea, as far as the library was concerned the
book was six months overdue.  We fined that sucker.

STEVEN J. SCHMIDT
CIRCULATION / INTERLIBRARY SERVICE LIBRARIAN
IUPUI UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES         (317) 274-0470
815 WEST MICHIGAN STREET           (317) 274-0492 FAX
INDIANAPOLIS, IN  46202            IMPV100@INDYCMS.BITNET
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Tue, 7 Apr 1992 10:13:42 MST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Dan Lester <ALILESTE@IDBSU.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Code of conduct
              7 Apr 1992 10:26:00 CST from <POWERSCJ@CNSVAX.UWEC.EDU>

On Tue, 7 Apr 1992 10:26:00 CST NAME'Cleo Powers, UWEC McIntyre Library (715)836
>asked him to remove his bicycle from the library.  He has forgotten his
>bike lock and saw no reason why he couldn't bring the bike into the
>library and keep it by his study station.  Afterall, the signs we had
>posted at the library entrance only say "no food or drink allowed".

The sign I just misquoted about rollerblades, also lists bicycles as the
wheeled vehicles not allowed.   We  DID want to say "no  wheels" but then
it would have kept wheel chairs out....so we listed the forbidden vehicles
instead.

I hate having to make TOO many signs, and adding to the visual clutter,
but liability IS a real concern these days.

dan

*****************************************************************************
* Dan Lester                          Bitnet:   alileste@idbsu              *
* Associate University Librarian      Internet: alileste@idbsu.idbsu.edu    *
* Boise State University                                                    *
* Boise, Idaho  83725                 BSU and I have a deal: I don't speak  *
* 208-385-1234                        for them and they don't speak for me. *
*****************************************************************************
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 13 Apr 1992 11:04:00 EDT
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         R_MCANDREW@ACC.HAVERFORD.EDU
Subject:      Re: Closed Reserve Stacks

It has been quite a few years, but my experience with this was very positive.
The increased efficiency more than makes up for the help-yourself freedom
the patrons must relinquish. The volume you describe is nearly twice what
we were doing so I would caution you about a couple of things:
	Make sure you have ample service points for the retrieval of
material. Nothing will convince patrons you should not have closed
the reserve stacks faster than long queues.
	Build regular shelf reading of the closed stacks into your
daily departmental duties rota. Try to reduce, as much as possible,
the times you can't locate an item.
R.Mcandrew
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 08:38:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "W.C. 'Rustbelt' DIVENS" <N93774@PITTVMS.BITNET>
Subject: Re: holiday/break/etc. grace periods

One big problem we have had with 'grace periods' is that people
simply perceive them as extensions of the borrowing period.  If you
have a week's grace period, then on overdue day #8, the patron owes
for 8 days.  YOU know it, I know it, most circ folks know it...but
the average patron believes that they owe for only the one day beyond the
grace period.

This begs the question....what is meant by 'grace'?  Seems to be one of
those multi-faceted terms that can be interpreted in various ways, by
various people....  I have often wondered what the interpretation of
'Grace Period' was in the Vatican Library and what the FINES were!!!

Seriously, it might be better to dispense with the term 'grace' and
state that:  "...for 'x' number of days past the due date, we will not
collect fines if the book is returned to the desk"  or words to that
effect.

_bill
N93774@PITTVMS
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Sun, 5 Apr 1992 20:09:16 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Sarah Jones <SAAJONES@UCS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: Re: holiday/break/etc. grace periods

ah yes!  We have had the same problem as at Saint Joseph College
with how to calculate fines over breaks.  ...the same arguments
with patrons, staff debates on how to handle it.....

What we do now is this:  if it's a weekend break (one or two days)
we ignore it.  The standard grace period applies.  If patrons
want to argue, the can but we'll ask why they couldn't have walked
across the campus (all one block of it) and renew their books.  Then
we stand our ground, and our lib. director stands behind us.

For a longer break (between semesters, over Thanksgiving, and over
spring break) we give them until Tuesday night at closing to get
the books in that came overdue during the break.  Wednesday AM we
send their overdues notices, and they owe the whole fine back to
the due date.

--Sarah Jones                        Krannert Memorial Library
  SAAJONES@IUBACS.BITNET             University of Indianapolis
  SAAJONES@UCS.INDIANA.EDU           1400 E. Hanna Ave.
                                     Indianapolis, IN  46227
                                       (317) 788-3268 -- voice
                                       (317) 788-3275 -- fax
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Date:         Tue, 7 Apr 1992 07:58:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Cordy Swinton (CWS@PSULIAS) 814-863-1362" <CWS@PSULIAS.BITNET>
Subject:      Code of conduct

I am working on a code of behavior for users of the library and would like
to see samples of what other libraries have done.  Yesterday I had my first
of the season confrontation with a student with rollerblades on.  I
realized I had nothing in writing to back me up and thus the code of
behavior.

If you have such a code, please send it to me directly so as not to bore
all the good folks out there.  My address is:

        Cordy Swinton, Head, Lending Services
        C106 Pattee Library
        Penn State University
        University Park, PA  16802

Thanks in advance.
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 08:56:20 -0400
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Melanie D. Myers" <mm2r+%ANDREW.CMU.EDU@CARNEGIE.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Mag stripe ID cards/readers

At Carnegie Mellon, we have been using Griffin
Technology mag card readers to identify patrons
for circ services since 1986.

We have found them to be very dependable ... in
fact, the most reliable part of the circ system.

It is a great system and beats adding barcodes to ids.

Melanie D. Myers
Manager of Library Automation
Carnegie Mellon University
Hunt Library
(412) 268-2124
mm2r@andrew.cmu.edu
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 15:34:00 PDT
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         David Freedman <ECZ5DAF@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU>
Subject:      Grace Periods
X-To:         Circ Plus <circplus@IDBSU.IDBSU.EDU>

We at UCLA (all branches follow the same lending rules when it
applies to fines) charge $0.50 per day on unrecalled overdue
material (to a maximum of $10.00).  If the material is recalled,
the charge is $2.00 the first day, $1.00 every day after that to
a maximum of $20.00.

There is no grace period.  At the University Research Library we
solved the vacation/holiday problem by putting dates on the
return bins.  When we discharge the books (using an automated
system, ORION) we set the date to whatever was on the bin.  THAT
WAY, if a patron returned a book at night (our stacks section stops
working at 6:00pm, so remaining bins are not processed until
the next working day) the book will still be discharged for the
day it was really returned. No books are due on days that the
library is closed.

Currently, we do not fine faculty.  Discussion is underway to
possibly stop fining students as well, but we would instead put
an automatic block on checkout of further books if they have a
certain number of overdue books.

Now the clincher:  Recall fines are charged but daily fines are
not charged currently on ORION.  The reason? It's not in the
programming yet.  The idea is to institute daily fines when all
campus libraries go on-line (there are still a few who circulate
items manually).  This would certainly increase everyone's
workload, and the idea of enforcing the daily fines is being
debated also.

When you circulate 1.5 million books annually, it makes you
consider the feasibilty of fining for regular overdues on a
daily basis...

David Freedman
Stacks Supervisor
University Research Library
University of California, Los Angeles
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Tue, 14 Apr 1992 11:27:14 LCL
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
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Comments:     <Parser> E: Original tag was -> FROM: ""Geraldine Collins,
              UNF Library"" <GCOLLINS@UNF1VM>
From:         Undetermined origin c/o Postmaster <POSTMASTER@IDBSU.BITNET>
Subject:      circulation information for patrons

From: "Geraldine Collins, UNF Library"

At UNF we make a point of giving our "Borrower Policies..." pamphlet to every
new cardholder. We think that patrons have a right to know what our policies
are and are then responsible for abiding by them. If you and your
administrators feel that some of your policies are controversial,now is a good
time to review them. The reasons for the policies must be made clear to the
Circulation staff so that they may explain them to patrons if they are
challenged. Staff must also be assured that supervisors and adminstrators will
back them up in a policy dispute with patrons.

Assuming your patrons will read the policies (which is a great leap of faith)
those who will try to abuse them are most likely abusing them already. Most
people I think, like to know what the rules are, so that they can follow them,
not to get around them.

We also have a $5.00 maximum fine. But most patrons feel that that is high,
and don't deliberately keep a book until the max is reached. Also we bill the
patron for the $5.00 fine plus replacement charges and a reprocessing fee if
the item is not returned within 30 days of the due date. This usually gets
them in to renew or return the item fairly quickly.

The bottom line is: Your policies must be clear, defendable, and fully backed
by the library administration. Check them for loopholes that would allow the di
shonorable among us to take advantage of the library.  But most definitely make
 the policies available to your patrons.

Geraldine Collins   (904) 646-2615   GCOLLINS@UNF1VM
Head,Circulation Services, Interlibrary Loan, Course Reserves
University of North Florida Library, P.O Box 17605
Jacksonville, FL 32216
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Date:         Wed, 8 Apr 1992 08:00:49 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         CXSN000 <CXSN@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject:      Grace Periods

Dates on your return bin(s).  A very interesting, informative
idea--but my question is, how labor intensive is it for you?
What is actually involved--how do you post the date, how huge
is the sign, etc.  Thanks.  S. Slavin, McGill University
cxsn@musica.mcgill.ca
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 13:02:41 CST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         kendall <KSIMMONS@UKANVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Personal Mail
              3 Apr 1992 08:48:00 PST from
              <ECZ5DAF%MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU@idbsu.idbsu.edu>

well, considering that i am now guilty of sending a personal message to the
list that i certainly didn't intend to go to the list...and had no idea
that i had done so, since most of my messages to/from the person i was writing
are messages just between the two of us...i would say "s--- happens".  i don't
think there's a soul using e-mail who is not capable of making a mistake.  so,
i've cluttered your mailboxes up twice in a week and david has cluttered them
up once.  sorry folks.  'nuff said.

kendall
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 15:53:21 PST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Laura L. Serafini" <sera%oxy.edu@SDSC.BITNET>
Subject:      fines/grace period

At Occidental College, we have no daily overdue fines for any items
(except reserve) BUT... there is a replacement bill including a
nonrefundable $10.00 billing fee for any item 21 days overdue AND
patrons temporarily lose borrowing privileges if 6 or more items are
21 days overdue.
For Reserve, the fine is $2.00 per hour for the first 3 hours overdue
AND $4.00 for the 4th hour for a total of $10.00 max. AND after 24 hours
the patron receives a replacement bill including the $10.00 fine AND a
nonrefundable $10.00 billing fee.  Reserve has a 20 min. grace period for
the first hour.
Since we have adopted the "no fines" for general circulation, we no longer
expend time and energy in arguments with students over grace periods, breaks
and "I turned that in on time".  PLUS, we are sending more $$$ to the
student accounts office than when we charged daily overdues.
_________
Laura Serafini, Circulation Supervisor
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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 16:27:12 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         CXSN000 <CXSN@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject:      Grace Periods for Overdue Fines

We are on Notis.  Have a 1 day grace period, similar to yours in
how it operates.  This works well.  This is the Humanities and
Social Sciences library--in Canada.  S. Slavin
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