RE: receipt printers vs. hand stamped date due cards

[Eric Rhee <erhee@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings - As a fellow public library in California, although at the
Southern end of the state, I would like to assure your staff that the public
will react favorably to printed receipts.  Sure, anytime you change
something, someone will complain.  A receipt has the advantage of serving as
an inventory of what is in the customer's possession. A receipt can serve as
a bookmark.  Your library's hours can be printed on it as well as the URL of
your website, or phone number for renewals. It is accurate and faster for
staff than hand stamping or placing due date cards in pockets or using a due
date gun with stickers. Staff can quickly scan the receipt to check that all
items presented were in fact checked out.  A printed receipt reduces
injuries to staff from repetitive motion.  A receipt can be placed on the
refrigerator door with a magnet (try that with a book!)  Seriously,
libraries need to be efficient and a receipt that is printed when your
Milcirc transaction is closed is fast.  Like a cash register, receipt
printers require replenishment of paper rolls and print cartridges from time
to time (unless your printer uses thermal paper rolls).  The cost of printer
supplies is probably offset by the costs of your present supplies.  Some
printers are a bit noisey.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurie Willis [mailto:Laurie.Willis@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 1:58 PM
To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: receipt printers vs. hand stamped date due cards


Hi Everyone,

Our Circulation staff is considering moving from hand-stamped date due cards
to receipt printers.  There is much controversy over whether or not this is
a good idea.  There has been a lot of discussion on this list regarding the
attributes of various printers but I don't recall seeing anything on the
general pros and cons of using receipt printers.  Our staff is concerned
about patron reactions, potential increase in overdue books, etc.  They'd
like to talk to libraries who are using receipt printers and would
especially like to hear from some local libraries in the San Franciso Bay
area.  

Please let me know if you're willing to share your experiences.

Thanks in advance,

Laurie Willis
Library Systems Manager
Hayward Public Library
Hayward, CA  94541
laurie.willis@xxxxxxxxxx
510-881-7936


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