HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 09:37:54 -0500
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Julie C. Doepken" <doepj@RUBY.ILS.UNC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Newcomer

Thank you for your wonderful reply to my question.  I have been
kind of struggling with what I'm going to do with my life, and
your words of advice truly help.  I am trying to diversify my
"knowledge base" so to speak.  At this point, though, I still sort
of feel like I'm just getting a piece of paper that says I can
do something that I feel I could just as well learn on the job.
I know that's not a very popular thing to say, especially when I
am in a program that is very reputable and professionally minded.

I don't have much time to say much more.  This semester is one
that will certainly take its toll on me.  (help!)  :)

T
(oops)
Again, thank you for taking the time to reply.  I appreciate it.

Julie Doepken  :)
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Subject: (no subject given)
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 25 Jan 1993 10:13:48 -0400
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         linda cracknell F <lcrackne@MACH1.WLU.CA>

LIST GLOBAL
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1993 15:57:00 CST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Mary J. Klatt" <$M$LB42@LUCCPUA.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: staff training

At Loyola, we have NOTIS 5.0.1.  The Med Cent Library is a small
library also.  We use have developed a training manual.  We use a
training (our test database) along with the manual, using "fake"
patrons and IDs.  We also have each new employ do every transaction
that come to the circ desk with a experienced staffer standing along
side.  We also "test" each employ on all automated functions about
one month after training begins.  When we train part-time staff, we
make them come in 4-5 days in a row (even if there normal schedule would
be only 3 days a week, so that there is consistancy and the employee
does not forget what he learned.  When we first came up in 1989
I found it very helpful to explain to the staff basic principles of
NOTIS (how the database worked, what each type of record was and how
it related to the other records).  That seemed to help in the change to
an automated system.  Hope this helps.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
>From: Charles Gross <moncol!gross>
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3dev PL20]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 769
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Sat, 23 Jan 1993 16:13:42 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         gross@MONCOL.MONMOUTH.EDU
Subject:      circ errors

Our circulation check-in makes erros about 1% of the time.
These errors result in false overdue notices. Eventually, the
complaint comes in and we can not find the book possibly because
of bad shelving (about 2% error rate). Basically, this message
is about circ errors. If you admit to both checkin and shelving error,
how do you still maintain insistance on payment for what you say are
non-returned books? Currently, my policy (Monmouth College, NJ) is that
I don't cancel borrowing privileges until a second "claims returned" is
claimed, How do you other circers deal with error in your system?
What do you do when a person who has never lost a book claims the
bill for unreturned books is a mistake, but you can't find the book?
When and how do you get tough?
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 10:36:26 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Tom Clark <sils@MAIL.LIB.DUKE.EDU>
Subject:      Yearning to stay in the past

>    Whether or not to pursue the MLS after having worked in a library
>for many years is a decision that should be based on what your plans
>are for the future.
>    [if you attend library school] you will not learn much that will be
>new to you.  Remember that many of the instructors in Library School
>last were employed in a library (read REAL WORLD) back in the 60's.

     Rusty's  point about library education, so graciously seconded by Steve
Blackwood--nice to see you guys make up--,assumes that the future will look much
like the past.  The fact is that the library of the not-so-distant future will
be a very different place in all aspects from the institutions we've grown up
with so far.  And I'm gambling my career that the latter statement has less
hyperbole than the former.
    While I can't defend all library schools, (though I suspect Rusty is really
out in the boondocks on this one) I can say that at UNC-Chapel Hill where I go,
(and where I'm in class with Julie, our Newcomer) there are _no_, repeat *NO*
faculty wallowing in, or pontificating from , the nostalgic past.  Instead, what
I get in school is an exciting and vigorous debate about how and whether the
institutions we have known as libraries will maintain their relevance to the
changing environments we serve, given the earth-shaking,
economy-revolutionizing, paradigm-shifting capabilities of new information
technologies.

     Having said all that, do I think you need an MLS to work in circulation?
My answer is maybe, maybe not.  But you definitely need something more than
experience and an attitude that "I know what I'm doing since I've done it so
long."

                                        Respecfully,

                                             Tom Clark
                                             Head of Circulation (no MLS...yet!)
                                             Divinity School Library
                                             Duke University
                                             sils@mail.lib.duke.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: NET%"CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET"
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Tue, 26 Jan 1993 17:29:09 -0400
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         SRTHOMAS@VCUVAX.BITNET
Subject:      Re: Overdue fines

VCU fines are:

        Books:  $.25 per day
                $10.00 max.

        Bound Journals: $1.00 per day
                        $10.00 max.

        Reserves:  $.02 per minute


                  $10.00 max.


Shirley Thomas
Head, Access Services
Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Wed, 27 Jan 1993 10:29:28 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Penelope <P-MYERS@TEMPLEVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Recall warning stamp
              26 Jan 1993 13:19:30 -0500 from
              <Joanne_Leary@QMRELAY.MAIL.CORNELL.EDU>

Our due date has printed on it : All books are subject to recall after 2 weeks.

It seems to work, we very rarely have serious complaints about our ability to
recall books.  We have only had to point to the wording on the due date slips
occasionally.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1993 10:45:05 -0600
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Kate Adams" <katea@UNLLIB.UNL.EDU>
Subject:      ATMs in libraries

I have been considering suggesting our acquiring an ATM for the
library here.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has
one, telling me whether its presence has been a curse or a blessing.
There aren't that many on campus, and the ones that are here always
seem to have a line, so I think there's a market.  Anyway, any
information you can give me on what to consider before I approach
my supervisor with this idea would be welcome.

Deb Pearson
Head, Circulation Services
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
debp@unllib.unl.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Delivery-Notice:  SMTP MAIL FROM does not correspond to sender.
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Wed, 27 Jan 1993 11:58:30 -0500
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Julie C. Doepken" <doepj@RUBY.ILS.UNC.EDU>
Subject:      Newcomer

Hello. I am new to this listserver and I would just like to ask a general queson
 about Circulation.  Is circulation is department that usually has a
librarian with an MLS in "charge"?  I am working on my masters right now
and my only experience in libraries thus far has been in circulation, which
I like.  But is it a place where one "needs" an MLS?  I hope that doesn't
sound awful.  I just wonder how many people on this listserver are
"librarians" in the MLS sense.  I am considering staying in the area of
circulation, since I do like is so much.  Any opinions, tips, suggestions,
etc. would be greatly appreciated.  This is only my second semester, so
I have lots more to learn!!  :)

Thank you,

Julie Doepken
DOEPJ@RUBY.ILS.UNC.EDU
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1993 11:23:07 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         mkb <R1MKB@AKRONVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Change for photocopiers
              21 Jan 1993 10:22:35 -0500 from
              <Joanne_Leary@QMRELAY.MAIL.CORNELL.EDU>

Joanne has some good ideas about change...We find giving change a bit of a
pain too...We have 4 copiers that are supplied and serviced by a copier service
We recieve regular visits--loading paper, programming cards, fixing jams, etc.
This service will also open the copy card dispenser and give us dollar bills
(5s and 1s)....

We will only give change if the patron is using the copy machines...If the
patron wants change to buy something from the vending machines down in the
basement-we say no....There is a change machine down there that will change
$1 bills and $5 bills (all quarters)

I have explained to many a distraught patron that we keep a small amount of
change on hand--(security reasons)...and we do not have the staff to run up
to the bank 3 or 4 times a day...the copy service will come down and give us
change if we call but I am also sure that they do not have the staff to make
the 15 minute trek down to us to help us either...




We will not give change for bills over $20..(even though our Dean --yes Dean
of the Law School) came up with a $100 bill and wanted change so he could buy
a can of soda pop down in the vending room..We just laughed...When asked where
could he go to get change, we told him "the bank"....

We have a hard time giving change out over the weekend..The bank is closed on
Saturdays on our campus and sometimes we have to draw the line by Sunday
afternoon. Our $1s and $5s are depleted and we have to wait until 9 am Monday
morning (when the campus bank opens) to replenish our supply..



We are a small library so this inconvenience is rather small..It does bother
us to do it on a very cold winter's day or a blustery rainy day...

I do like the idea of saying "no change--period" But since we provide the
machines and we do get a 40% profit from the proceeds, we are willing to put
up with the minor inconvenience...I know some people will disagree with me...
but we have our students trained already and they seem to appreciate the
service..

I hope this little bit of info helps you!!!

Mary K. Ball                     * Akron, Ohio--permanent home of orange
Univ. of Akron Law Library       * construction barrels.........<grin>
Akron, ohio 44325                *
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1993 07:33:20 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Linda Poe <lpoe@MAGNUS.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
Subject:      Subscribe

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Please SUB CIRCPLUS LINDA POE.  THANKS.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 25 Jan 1993 15:08:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         NIELSENJ@HOPE.BITNET
Subject:      Re: your computer is wrong

Have the students accidently exchanged library cards or has someone checked
out an item for a friend who forgot to bring her card with her?

Do you have clean up programs that you run regularly to clear up the glitches
that the computer bugs cause occasionally?  We have such in DRA which help.

The books themselves most often appear magically after a period of a few weeks.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: circplus@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"circplus@idbsu"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 25 Jan 1993 22:37:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "W.C. (RUSTY) DIVENS" <ERCOUPE@PITTVMS.BITNET>
Subject:      Shot went wide

Actually Steve....

If Circulation is to get 'respect' it will be earned by the attitude of
the people staffing the desk, and not by the name on a piece of parchment
hanging on the wall.  There are a bunch of folks on this list who run
a good Circ operation that do not have the MLS degree, and there is no
guarantee that the posession of a degree guarantees a top-notch circ
operation.

If Circulation *is* run as a professional operation by those who have
no MLS, and it doesn't get the respect it deserves, then the problem
lies in the administration of the library...folks who by and large
DO have their MLS.

Rusty
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET"
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 07:56:46 -0500
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         01jalivingst@BSUVAX1.BITNET
Subject:      Re: Newcomer

Julie,

        Hello and welcome to circplus.  I'm a MLS librarian working in a
circulation situation.  My duties also involve reference and collection
development work.  This position is in an Educational Resources (media,
textbooks, juvenile literature) department of the main library.  It's
a great place to work, especially if you like working with education
majors and can understand all the jargon.  Good luck with your classes
and don't mind Rusty's dry sense of humor.

Julie Livingston
Ball State University
Educational Resources
Muncie, IN
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1993 16:41:40 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Sheryl Owens <sowens@MAGNUS.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Circ/Access Services Discussion Group Mtg in Denver
              "SHONTZ%UTHSCSA.BITNET@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU" at Jan 21,
              93 9:44 am

>    Hi David,
     e-journal works for me, too.  I'm just advocating for something - print or
>nonprint
Sheryl

 Considering the difficult climate for new print serials these days, I'd sugge
st
> an e-journal along the lines of The Newsletter for Serials Pricing or Psychol
o-
> quy.  Articles could be formally edited or even peer-reviewed, and distribute
d
> via Circplus or subscribed to separately.  Contributors could write up more
> formal summaries of responses to queries they put out on Circplus, write "how
> we did it" articles, or write on how to handle the management issues we deal
> with in Access Services.
>
> David Shontz
> UTHSCSA
>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Delivery-Notice:  SMTP MAIL FROM does not correspond to sender.
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Sat, 23 Jan 1993 12:26:21 CST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         "Edna O. Luna" <DRA_EOL@PANAM.BITNET>
Subject:      RE: Overdue fines

At UT Pan American overdue policy is as follows:

             General Circulation - $.10 a day (five day grace),
                                   maximum of $43.00-lost book cost

             Reserve             - $.50 per hour (no grace)
                                   maximum of $43.00.

Edna Luna
Library Assistant
UT Pan American (dra site)
210-381-3306
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Mon, 25 Jan 1993 20:26:12 CST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         APMURFC <APMURFC@MUSIC.LOYNO.EDU>
Subject:      circ errors

   At lovely Loyola University Library in New Orleans (see y'all at
ALA this summer, I hope!), when a patron claims to have returned a book
but we can't find it on the shelf I just play it by ear, after perform-
ing the usual interrogation:  do you remember how many books you had
out?  were you the only person using the book?  where did you return
it (i.e., outdoor book drop or circ. desk) and did YOU actually return
it (or did a [soon to be former] friend return it)?  did you go anywhere
with the book besides your home?  have you ever been a member of the
communist party?
   After a thorough grilling, if the patron hasn't broken down and
confessed to his/her crime, I will either use our automated system's
"CLAIMS RETURNED" process or add the name to my PC database of "CLAIMS
RETURNED" items (the difference is that the CLSI system doesn't charge
fines for a claims returned item if it's "found" by the patron and the
PC program allows us to regularly search for the book while maintaining
the normal billing cycle).
   I sometimes point out to the patron that it's uncommon for us to make
TWO mistakes with one book -- first one person doesn't check it in corr-
ectly and another doesn't shelve it properly.  Both of these errors can,
unfortunately, occur with the same item, but not very often!
   Finally, if the patron is adamant about his/her innocence or there
seem to be other factors to be considered (and these can vary greatly)
I might allow the claim and promptly file the account in a "CLAIM
ALLOWED" file.  There are very few records in the CLAIM ALLOWED file,
but before another is added I check the file to be sure that no one
has made a similar claim before.
   BTW, your percentages for checkin errors and shelving errors are
pretty impressive.  Although I've never tried to gauge our respective
error rates I assume they're a tad higher.

Robert Cameron
APMURFC@MUSIC.LOYNO.EDU
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Original_To:  BITNET%"circplus@idbsu"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 06:35:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         GEFFNER@SJC.BITNET
Subject:      circ. errors

Our double error rate (not discharging/misshelving) is a bit higher than
that reported by others (twice in five years) but this in part has been
due to our current circulation system which experiences significant
downtime.  Thus, we may "discharge" the item before its written charge
has been keyed in.  In addition, cutbacks in student help (from about
20 a few years ago to 11 now) have resulted in a lesser ability to
shelfread regularly.  Thus, I am firm but friendly when a patron reports
a problem.  Generally, I rely on the "time buying" technique: both parties
will keep looking and the bill won't have to be paid for several months.
However, they must pay the bill unless the Director waives it.  We do
refund the money (minus fines) for a reasonable period (about a year).

Generally, we try to project a friendly, customer-oriented approach as
opposed to the almost punitive approach used years ago when I was a
student worker.  Most of our students are adults.  Of course, I'd make
a better bad cop than a good cop, but one must flow with the times.

Ann Williams, SJC

P.S.  I've been wondering about the future of libraries as Internet and
document delivery become commonplace.  Has anyone in a system successfully
using these seen a decrease in circulation/library usage?  Also, the
new digital cable services soon to be offered by TCI and Time-Warner
as well as the minature satellite dishes would seem to impact upon
libraries and perhaps schools as well.  Any thoughts?
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Sun, 24 Jan 1993 17:21:50 MST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         Dan Lester <ALILESTE@IDBSU.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: CHAT: Jessica, etc.

greetings from the cyclops' keyboard operator

>of modern American TV audiences.  I mean if laws are going to be broken,
>let's not do it with Jessica Fletcher!  Gimmee Jean-Claude vanDamme
>dragging some helpless librarian across the desk and ripping the
>information out of them!  Gimme RoboLibrarian, checking out books
>with retina scans, blasting the potential thieves with laser guns...

no way! let's not talk about retinas at all   o-)

>Yessir....let's get back to reality here!  Why I think that we should
>take a survey and then appoint a Jessica Fletcher Oversight Committee
>as part of the ALA structure!  ANYONE who has seen BEDKNOBS AND

i'm not sure ONE committee would be enough....ALA would probably
need three or four committees to get the job done.  at least these
commmittees would be more useful than half of the other ALA committees
also, they would be much more fun!

>BROOMSTICKS knows that Angie Lansbury is a witch!  I know she's a witch.
>
>How do I know she is a witch?
>
>She turned me into a newt!
>
>Rusty

rusty,  i thought you were one of the original Gekko Boys on the
nets a couple of years ago..or am i just confused by a bad case of
computer withdrawal?

dan , the cyclops of potatoland
(as typed by gail, his faithful scribe, and #4 librarian wife)

*****************************************************************************
* 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. *
*****************************************************************************
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Date:         Fri, 22 Jan 1993 18:44:33 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         CXSN000 <CXSN@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA>
Subject:      Overdue fines

At McGill University, Montreal Canada (the Harvard of the North)
fines are:

Reserves:   1/minute

Circulation:  25/day for general books;
$1.00/day for recalled books and for periodical vols.

No maximums.

Suzy Slavin, now returned from exchange at Griffith University,
Brisbane, Australia.  It was wonderful........

Social Sciences and Hum. Library
cxsn@musica.mcgill.ca
From: blackwoods@vms.csd.mu.edu
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.circplus
Subject: CIRC ERRORS
Date: 27 Jan 1993 16:40:30 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: blackwoods@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsa.csd.mu.edu

ALTHOUGH most people who claim to have returned an overdue book are either lying or mistaken, we should always try to not
assume an air of thinking so. Occasionally we are wrong. We should also allow for the possibility of employee theft. While
we all like to think that our student workers and fellow employees are honest, we also sometimes need to face the fact that
not all are. Some may even be venal enough not just to steal books but to steal returned books without at least having the 
decency to check them in first.
On the subject of Circ making 2 mistakes, ie, mot checking a book in AND misshelving it, it has happened twice in my 5 years 
as Recall Supervisor. Not many times, but it DOES happen.
Steven Blackwood
Marquette University
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU