RE: Request Function for Available Items: Who's Doing it?

["Solivan, Mark" <msolivan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Message

Ken,

 

We don’t allow available items to be requested either, for the same reason Linda mentioned. We have a separate procedure for items that have an ‘available’ status and are not on the shelf (Traces). We fine tuned the procedures recently and we are getting ready to implement the changes.

 

If you want to curtail the service you are currently offering, it would be helpful to look into creating a procedure for items which are not on the selves but have an ‘available’ status.

 

Mark Solivan

Manager, Circulation & Reserves Dept.

University of Miami

Otto G. Richter Library

Coral Gables, FL 33143

(305) 284-4811

msolivan@xxxxxxxxxx

 

“I am pleading for the future; I am pleading for a time where hatred and cruelty will not control the hearts of men. When we can learn by reason and judgement and understanding and faith that ALL life is worth saving, and that mercy is the highest attribute of man” ---Clarence Darrow

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Moore [mailto:Linda.Moore@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 8:50 AM
To: 'innopac@xxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: RE: Request Function for Available Items: Who's Doing it?

 

We don't allow requests on available items for that very reason.  A problem we do have is that sometimes a person places a hold on an available item because they don't find it on the shelves and we have no way of knowing the item is not really available. 

Linda A. Moore
Public Services Librarian
Mossey Library
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI   49242

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Garson [mailto:garsonkw@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 11:03 AM
To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Request Function for Available Items: Who's Doing it?

When we migrated to Innopac in 2000,

our library made the decision to allow

the Request function to request for

items that are marked 'Available' in the

catalog for faculty, staff and all students.

 

The thinking was that this would serve

the function of checking for an item on

the shelf before someone came in to find

it not available, a service that we provided

before we were automated.

 

However, we now find that many students

find this feature a valet service, where they

request items and show up in a few hours

asking for their requested items. Some

even request 20+ books. Most galling, some

never show up to get the book we retrieved.

 

We are finding this an onerous task and

are thinking about curtailing it drastically.

My question: Is anyone else allowing the

Request function to operate for Available

items for students, public, etc.?

Or are we foolish?

***************************************
Ken Garson
Head, Access Services
Hagerty Library\Drexel University
215-895-2774
garson@xxxxxxxxxx